When Weakness Is Stripped Away

God is so very gentle and patient with us when stripping away our weakness.

He knows our frame that we are but dust (Psalms 103:14). James describes our life as a mist that is here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:14). Imagine a mighty God who created the heavens and earth by the power of His word promises not to break us or extinguish our lives like a faltering wick (Isaiah 42:3).

The process of conforming to His image can be quite an ugly process. I've been told on occasion I'm gentle, kind and merciful but I have also been know to be very angry, resentful and bitter. I get discouraged very easily at what seems like a split personality. Why can't I be more loving and kind instead of miserable and grumpy? Most of the things that upset me are quite small and trivial not something life and death hang in the balance. So much energy and time was spent for things that really don't matter when considering the larger picture.

I know that I'm not alone. Paul described this tug of war between the flesh and spirit, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do...For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (Romans 7:15,18 NIV).

But with God there is hope in the transformation to be like Him. When God strips away our weakness He does not do it to shame us. His intent is not to expose our soft underbelly so to speak of what we are hiding under all those protective layers we hold out to people. Rather the more He removes those things that produce sin and weakness in our lives the greater capacity He has to pour more of His life and power into our clay vessels.

We have to trust God knows what He is doing especially in the moments of our greatest failures. We have nothing in ourselves to bring about lasting change. Promises and vows to do better will always fail and lead to greater frustration and despair. Rather we must be honest with Him right at that moment when we fail. We must ask for His help even if our prayer is a whimper and our blood pressure is running high to do something stupid! I know. My prayer sometimes is limited to the words, "Help me!". Beloved, in that moment God is so faithful to break through our heated moments and downcast seasons to lift us up and back on our feet to continue walking with Him.

And here is the hope we hold...the more we call out to Him in our weakness and allow Him to teach us, the quicker the recovery from failing and less will be the episodes of falling flat on our faces.

In the end it will be worth it all to see Jesus on that day face to face. For in that moment, when all weakness and sin is all but a distant memory we shall say with Paul, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (I Corinthians 13:12 NIV).

Be encouraged you are His masterpiece not a master mess in the works!