Finding Strength in Weakness

I was reading about the renowned Impressionist French painter, Claude Monet (1840-1926), that left an impression on me. He was faced with a unique challenge to his eyesight in his later years due to cataracts which distorted his perception. It altered the way he perceived colors, leading to significant changes in his artwork.

But, to his credit, Monet used this distortion to an advantage. For he was able to shift colors into warmer tones, turn his paintings into more abstract form, and create beautiful artwork that wouldn’t have been as possible with perfect eyesight.

Monet is a great example of strength in weakness. For I agree with those who say that his ability to transform his limitations into artistic strengths remains an inspiring testament to creativity and resilience. In fact, we would not be able to see and appreciate what he could see had it not been for his weakness.

It’s written that,

“…he used this distortion to paint his water lilies, and what we experience in his painting is delicacy, lightness, beauty, and softness—coming not from perfect eyesight, but from perfect insight into the more subtle characteristics of nature.” (Dynamic Preaching, as cited in 1001 Great Stories & Quotes, R. Kent Hughes.)

Monet reminds me of someone else who had strength in weakness and used it most effectively: Paul the Apostle made an astounding claim when he emphatically declared to the Corinthian Church of God,

⁹And [God] has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. “Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong,” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, New American Standard Bible, NASB).

Paul was fully aware that serving Christ included afflictions that would test his spiritual fortitude, and faith. But he took a positive attitude. “It is all for Christ’s good,” he claimed, because it boiled down to the grace God supplied through Christ (John 1:16).  So, despite his physical infirmities, Paul embraced weakness as a platform for God’s strength.

As believers in Christ, we can also find such strength. What others perceive as weakness, we perceive as strength.  Indeed, that’s how we receive a higher power that we, ourselves, do not have to endure and effectively serve the Lord.

One source comments,

“The fact that Christ’s power is displayed in weak people should give believers courage. Instead of relying on their own energy, effort, or talent, they should turn to Christ for wisdom and strength. Weakness not only helps a person develop Christian character; it also deepens that person’s worship, because admitting weakness affirms Christ’s inexhaustible strength.” (Life Application Bible Commentary)

There are other examples in the Bible where there’s strength through weakness:

Moses: Despite being slow of speech and tongue, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt under Divine guidance (Exodus 4:10-12).

Gideon: Overcoming doubt about his clan’s status, Gideon led Israel to victory with God’s help (Judges 6:15-16).

Solomon realized his insufficiency to effectively lead his people as king on his own strength. So he asked God for wisdom and understanding. And God gave him that and much more to bring many blessings during his reign (2 Chronicles 1:7-13).

Isaiah the Prophet confessed his unworthiness and guilt before God by saying, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” And God gave him strength: “…thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged,” (Isaiah 6:5-9, King James Version, KJV). 

Peter’s shortcomings often included speaking out of turn, even rebuking his Teacher, Jesus, one time. But Jesus set him straight and eventually Peter the Apostle would hold a most honorable place as leader in the Church (Matthew 16:13-23; John 21:12-25; Acts 4:8-12).

Jesus: The ultimate example is Jesus Himself. He willingly embraced weakness in the form of servanthood, “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” (Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:5-11) and “tempted in all points as we are yet without sin,” (Hebrews 4:15), thus allowing His crucifixion for our sins. Through His apparent weakness (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus displayed ultimate strength and redemption for humanity.

Considering how you can receive strength in your weaknesses, remember all those before us who also found their strength, especially through the Good News of Christ, himself. As the Apostle Peter declared,

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen,” (1 Peter 5:6-11, NASB).

Good News to YOU!
Pastor Michael
P.S. Here’s Steven Curtis Chapman with a beautiful message in song, “His Strength is Perfect,”  https://youtu.be/QGC9KT918Kk