2 Corinthians 12:9

AMP – but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough – always available – regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [my completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

NRSVUE – but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

VOICE – and finally He said to me, “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” So ask me about my thorn, inquire about my weaknesses, and I will gladly go on and on – I would rather stake my claim in these and have the power of the Anointed One at home with me.

Learning What it Means to Share Weaknesses

Paul is going over his own discovery where God responds to his plea about the “thorn in the flesh.” God’s grace is described as God’s stead, unearned presence, and help, especially where life leaves us beaten down. For Paul, grace doesn’t celebrate the thorn he feels, but it reminds us that God’s power can show up in places that feel fragile, exhausted, and pushed around. The assurance of receiving God’s grace is a reminder of how God provides and supports us. God’s power will show up within us through areas that we are weak in. All throughout the Bible, we see stories where God chooses people who are weak and humble in order to fulfill God’s will and plans. These stories do not celebrate the harm that was caused, but it shows us that God refuses to let social statuses, disabilities, trauma, or lack of worldly power block people from being signs of God’s work in the world. Paul is, therefore, glad to share in his weaknesses. This is a counter-cultural response, because you would typically share on your strengths and achievements. Paul embraces his own weaknesses so that God’s power and be shown to all. Paul knows about Christ’s continuous and abiding presence. This rest brings about the imagery of God’s spirit resting on the tabernacle in the Old Testament, which transformed to us being temples of the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What does it mean to you to choose when and where to share your vulnerabilities? How do you discern safe people and spaces in our current climate

Responding to Our Shame

Our weaknesses are nothing that we need to be ashamed of. While it’s counter-cultural to post our shame moments online, it doesn’t mean we have to silence them. Often we fear the response of sharing them, because we may lose friends, face judgment from close ones, and create an unintentional isolated environment. We can carry deep internalized shame from many sources – family systems, church cultures, societal messages about gender, race, sexuality, mental health, disability, body size, or economic status. We need to start de-stigmatizing sharing the shame, and start having the uncomfortable conversations.

However, there are hurdles that we need to overcome to get there. First, we need to create more safe places and safe people to share these things with. Some people mock the idea of ‘safe spaces,” but for many people, these spaces are lifelines – a place where they can be honested about their stories without ridicule, shaming, or harassment. With the rise of social media, the newer generations face criticism, judgment, and bullying at a higher rate than ever before. They truly don’t have a place that they can share an authentic version of themselves without these fears dominating their thoughts and beliefs. When we can create an environment that allows people to be authentically themselves, we are moving towards a place of loving our neighbor that God intended us to do.

Next, we need to start practicing intentional listening. This was a problem I struggled with heavily in my early 20s, and still do to this day – just not as much. Humans are innate problem solvers. When someone comes to us with their stress, troubles, and concerns, we immediately look for a way to try and “solve” what they’re facing. Why? From my own experience, it boils down to two reasons: the uncomfortable feelings and toxic positivity. No one like to feel depressed, anxious, upset, or panicked. However, these feelings are helpful for us because they tells us when our needs are not being met or when boundaries have been crossed. People may not need our help to solve their problems, at least not at first. Some people want to talk about why they feel what they feel, to work through emotions and talk through them. People often want to talk to seek validation, to get things off of their chest and out of their system. Granting people the space to be able to talk through their feelings allows for emotions to calm, peace to grow, and relationships to be formed. Unfortunately, a typical reaction for people is toxic positivity. This is forced happiness mindset that allows us to distract ourselves away from the emotions that can make us feel uncomfortable. We may use it as a short-term distraction technique, but others will use it to distance themselves from tough conversations.

Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed Christians use the toxic positivity, both intentionally and often unintentionally. Phrases like, “Just pray about it.” “Just have more faith.” “Don’t worry, for God’s got you.” “God will use this for something good.” Phrases like that, while often with kind-intention, are cliched and unhelpful. These are good reminders, but it doesn’t often help us through our tough situations. It can for some, but often, these can feel weightless. When Christians use phrases like these to shut down hard feelings and realities, they unintentionally practice spiritual bypassing. This is when people use faith language to dodge painful situations instead of entering it with compassion and practical help. They can feel like just words when there are no actions behind them. These are moments that we need to be God’s hands and feet to the world, and to extend His compassion, grace, and mercy to our neighbors. We are called not only to speak encouragement to each other but to show up – helping with therapy access, medical care, accommodations where needed, and advocacy when systems are unjust.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What has worked and not worked for you? What would do you for a friend if they came to you with their concerns?