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Weaknesses - Not the end condition at all.
We could be weak physically or strong; give a weak excuse or a strong one for not fulfilling an agreement or we could make a batch of weak lemonade or a strong one. None of these examples come close to the depth of the learning that St. Paul received about being made strong precisely in his weakness. The perspective of strength in weakness is simple in concept but not achievable through mere thought or study, or by willing it. Rather, our weakness is changed from a potential liability to an advantage for us and for others, by direct action of the Spirit of God within our hearts.
Even though we do not accomplish this ourselves, our “yes” is just as important for our cooperative movement with God as was Mary of Nazareth’s when she received the announcement about becoming the mother of Jesus. We might be aware of some of our weaknesses but have no way of knowing ahead of time how God will complement the little we have with effectiveness for good that is far more than whatever we could imagine. We do have assurance though, that through trust in God we will be able to achieve whatever is ours to do.
If we were only physical material beings, the limit of our individual strengths would be the measure of what we could do in whatever field of work, play, creation, thought, interactions, or endeavor we might be led to choose. However, we are people of spirit, with freedom to trust and believe, to hope and to love. Whatever we can think, imagine, say, or do, are not just here and now happenings of little consequence, but are open to immeasurable value and effects for good that transcend our weaknesses. The strength in our weaknesses arises in how we relate with inspirations and graces offered to us and the exercise of our gifts of faith, hope, and love. Only God can see the extent of the effects of our cooperation with, and participation in, the movement of all creation towards the fulfillment of our existence in ultimate union with God.
The way we can see how our weaknesses are turned into strengths is through reflection upon our daily experiences. We might recall our hesitancy at some time or reluctance to write a note, take the initiative, try something we have not done before, and yet we went ahead, “obeying” the gentle but firm movement within our hearts to act as we did. The more we see and acknowledge this kind of activity within us, the more our confidence will grow in trusting these graced impulses of guidance. Rather than relying primarily on our abilities and afterwards feeling depleted, we let ourselves be the weaker partner in a cooperative effort that is far stronger in good effects than we could possibly succeed in doing on our own.
God delights in generating strength for good through our weaknesses.
Last Updated 3/7/2026