Recogonizing Weaknesses and being Strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 New International Version (NIV) 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. Weaknesses. We all of them. Whether they'd be within the emotional attributes or physical, either way, they're there. They are apart of us. These weaknesses that we may have do not define who we are nor what type of heart we possess, but rather they help us to recognize what we can lift up to the Lord in prayer so that we have strength to face and over come those weaknesses. Our Father in Heaven wants nothing more than for us to come to Him in prayer so that His light can shine on us while we are feeling vulnerable and weak. To feel vulnerability is certainly not a bad thing because that means we have the open mind and heart towards God who is more than happy and willing to mentor, teach, guide, discipline, and love us, but we need to be willing as well. In the state of vulnerability we are risking our hearts to be willing to step out from our comfort zone for a change. Often, this change is for the better and the very fact we are feeling the conviction of the Spirit so that we may turn to God with prayer; praise, thanksgiving, conviction, and worship. And when we do this we are recognizing what it is that's weighing within our hearts to lift up to God and put it in His hands, rather than us sitting here trying to take and be in control, all on our own. The moment you recognize and lift up your weaknesses because you sincerely know what you cannot go alone on the path of life without the direction of God, He is going to take all that weakness and make you strong because He had taken the weaknesses and vulnerability of others and made them strong, too! His son, Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins so that you may be strong in His name. God gives strength to His children because He loves and cares about all of His children just that much. Sometimes, it's hard for us to simply accept that we have a Father in Heaven that gave His son, Jesus, for our sins so that we may have life in His name, living a life of love, kindness, hope, and strength so that we can reach out to others in His name and be a light in this world of darkness. When I think about this, it makes me think about just how dark this world really is and what goes on in our daily lives that can leave these wounds, these wounds that bring upon certain weaknesses, but then, I remember that we don't have to live this way. We don't have to live a life filled with weaknesses caused by a variety of different wounds. God never wanted that. He wants us to live a life filled with hope, the hope that will lie deeply within us in knowing we are promised so much more. When I look back upon my weaknesses and the wounds that I've encountered, how I've grown in my faith to only be made stronger and healed, I also remember Jesus Christ faced many of the same events we do in our lives. May not be the -exact- same, but enough for Him to know how we feel and deal with them. By this thought, I cannot help, but be COMPLETELY comforted in knowing there is SOMEONE who understands every single emotion we may face, even my own. Isaiah 53:5 New International Version (NIV) 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. "By His wounds we are healed." He takes upon His own wounds to heal ours so that WE ARE HEALED. Think about it... He has healed us from our wounds so that we may not 'know' that pain any longer, but to rejoice! To rejoice in the fact we have a God who loves us so much that we can be healed, free, and strong! By going to the Lord in prayer and lifting it all up to Him, you are displaying a renewal of your inner strength within your faith saying that there is hope. There is healing. There is strength made out of these weaknesses. Isaiah 57:10 New International Version (NIV) 10 You wearied yourself by such going about, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint. Do not faint. Do not be wearied by the wounds, weaknesses, and hardship that you face because you are facing a renewal of your strength, hope, and up mostly, your faith in Christ. You can be and -ARE- more than any of your weaknesses because you are chosen by God. By His Son, you ARE healed, strengthened, and renewed. In knowledge of this, rejoice, praise Him, take heart, and continue on with your life in His name! --------- Writer's note: Friends, I write to you, the audience, possessing a constant hope in knowing that what I share from the depths of my heart is beneficial to your faith in Christ Jesus. If you do not know who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for you, or that you're curious, but feel nervous, I pray that God would work in your life and where you stand so that you may see His face and know of His great love for you and all of the people He has created. I pray that He would also turn your heart to Him and make you vulnerable so that He may work through you with a great comfort and love. I pray that He will give you direction, guidance, and wisdom in your life so that you have a hope and comfort instilled in your heart knowing that He has control and plans for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I also pray that you would know, He has promised an eternal life for YOU with Him in Heaven. John 6:51 New International Version (NIV) "51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”-Jesus Christ Jesus loves you and so do I. Though, I do not know who all read my entries, nor where you stand with your faith in God, but do know that whoever you are, I pray for you because I hope that you have life in Him and out of the love that Christ Jesus has instilled within my heart. In Him, Mak