Life can seem upside down sometimes, right? In a world that celebrates strength and self-sufficiency, God’s way can seem counterintuitive. It’s in our moments of greatest weakness that we discover our true strength, as God walks us through the fire.
When we feel the weakest, burdened by the weight of our struggles, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” It’s in those times when we have nothing left to give, that God’s grace sustains us and His strength carries us through.
Think about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to worship a false god. In that moment of utter helplessness, they found their true strength not in their own power, but in God’s presence with them in the fire. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and they emerged unharmed, a testament to God’s incredible power in their weakest moment.
Our culture tells us to avoid weakness at all costs, to always be strong and self-reliant. But God’s kingdom is different…
It’s upside down.
When we’re at our weakest, He promises we are at our strongest.
When we’re at our lowest, His love lifts us up.
When we’re in the fire, He is actually refining us.
When we’re overwhelmed, He tells us to rest.
He asks us to get down on our knees and hand it over, when we want to fight our own battles.
He tells us to forgive and let it go, when all we want to do is feel justified and hold the offence.
I’ve struggled with laying down my troubles at His feet, thinking I should be able to handle everything on my own. But in those moments when I finally surrender, I find peace that surpasses understanding. There are times when I’ve chosen relentless busyness over rest, believing that productivity means constant activity. Yet, it’s in those quiet moments of rest that I often find clarity and renewed strength.
When it comes to fighting battles, I’ve tried to do it all with my own hands, thinking I had to be the one to make things right. But I’ve learned that the most powerful battles are fought on our knees in prayer, trusting God to work in ways I can’t. And forgiveness? That’s a tough one. Holding onto hurt and seeking revenge can feel justified, but it’s in choosing to forgive that I’ve experienced the true power of grace and freedom.
All these areas I have struggled with and sometimes still do. But it’s His prompting that reminds me that His ways are not our ways. He calls us to embrace our weaknesses, to be vulnerable before Him, and to rely on His strength. Jesus Himself exemplified this when He chose the cross, a symbol of ultimate weakness and defeat, and turned it into a victory over sin and death.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” This verse beautifully captures the essence of trusting in God’s upside-down kingdom.
And here’s the beauty in it all. As Christians, we get to choose this upside-down life! We don’t have to go along at the world’s pace to see temporary results. We can trust in God’s timing and His methods, knowing that what He builds in us and through us will last eternally.
So, if you’re feeling weak today, remember that you’re in the perfect place for God’s power to work through you. Don’t be afraid to lean into your vulnerability. Let God’s strength become your own. Trust that He is with you, especially in the fire, and that through your weakness, He will display His strength.
Embrace the upside-down life. Find your strength in your moments of weakness. Allow God to transform your struggles into testimonies of His power and love. And remember, when you’re at your weakest, you’re actually at your strongest, because God walks with you, carrying you through the fire.
Love Sarah xx.
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