Finding God’s Strength in Our Struggles
The other night, our daughter had a choir performance. I thought this was more of a practice night, and it’s her first year in choir, and there are several other upcoming performances scheduled. I came alone because of this assumption and our family’s full calendar. When I walked into the cafeteria, parents, siblings and grandparents with beautiful bouquets filled the rows. I had all I could do to get her to the school in time, let alone purchase flowers to give her after she sang, I thought. I hung my head and texted my husband that I felt like I was failing in the parenting department.
I feel like I’m failing a lot as a mom, wife, friend and in other roles. I feel it when:
- A kid tries to grab a bowl of cereal on the way out the door to school and realizes we are out of milk.
- No one can find clean laundry.
- I spend an hour on a new recipe, and no one likes it.
- I unintentionally say something that hurts my husband’s feelings.
- I forget an appointment that’s been on the calendar for months.
- Despite my best efforts, I can’t get out the door on time.
And I felt it hardest in that moment, as I looked at the green and white checkered lunchroom floor in the middle of all the parents and flower arrangements who were more put together than I felt.
I don’t just feel this way in relationships; sometimes, I feel like I’m failing spiritually, too. Like when I have difficulty focusing while praying or reading the Bible. Or when I spend time in prayer asking for direction but don’t get it. Or in trying to train our children in the way they should go, but don’t always know if I’m doing it right. I feel it when doubt creeps in, and I’m shaken in places where I thought I was on solid ground.
Can you relate?
We beat ourselves up for our humanness, yet it’s here God’s power is on display.
Perhaps there is no better reminder of our need for a Savior? What a gift to be reminded of this.
We desire confidence in Christ and who He says we are, but how do we remember this on a chaotic morning, trying to get everyone out the door, in the middle of the mundane, or amidst trials and storms when life’s waters threaten to pull us under? What can we do to have what we know to be true to speak louder than our doubts?
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” But it doesn’t stop there; there is more to this verse. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (ESV).
Not only is His grace sufficient for us, but acknowledging our weaknesses reminds us of the power of Christ that rests upon us. Our failures and convictions aren’t meant to be crippling. What if, we looked at them as an invitation, an offering of freedom we may be missing out on? Instead, we remind ourselves His grace is sufficient.
What is one thing you can do this week to view your weaknesses through a different lens? Is it reciting scripture? Turning to prayer? Or calling a trusted friend who can speak truth over you. On this side of Heaven, there will be times we feel like we are failing; let’s remember the One who never does.
Sarah Nichols is a writer who loves encouraging women by sharing hope-filled stories that point others to Jesus. She lives in Tucson, AZ, with her husband and four kids. You can find more from Sarah at http://sarahnicholswrites.com
