Secret Strength

The baby draws strength from the mother in secret (the womb). Until one day, the baby comes into the world, discovers their own strengths and abilities.

Remember a time where you broke down and cried in front of a friend. It might have felt uncomfortable and embarrassing. I bet, that moment of vulnerability did more to win the person’s heart. It cemented your friendship than any other experience you’ve shared.

There is something about weakness that opens hearts. It disarms the defensive. Softens the suspicious. It endears the indifferent. – Steven Furtick

Our vulnerable shows people that we aren’t to be feared or revered. And as such, it communicates we are, one of them. It welcomes us to speak into their lives.

The two words people need to hear the most when they’re hurting should not be “you should”, but “me too“.

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus righteousness saved us, but His humanity is what draws us near to him. He bridges the gap between God and humanity. The life Jesus endured, is about a resounding, “Me too!”

⁴ For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:4

As we learn to be vulnerable with God and with the right, trusted people, we discover that every weakness, properly processed, contains secret strength. True empathy is an empowering gift you can give only after you’ve gone through something that revealed your own weakness.

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

In Jesus, our weakness is heaven’s secret weapon.

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