It is only the Christian who is fully conscious of his weakness who will depend upon God, and seek for God's power. The strong and talented Christian can easily become self-sufficient and independent, I know because I’ve been one. That very strength can become their weakness. And honest awareness of weakness, therefore, is the starting point in the journey to reaching the very heart of God and accessing His power. You can only really seek with all your heart after that which you are fully aware that you lack. They only find God's power who fully realize their own weakness. Spurgeon said, "God helps us most when we most need his help." If you are strong and feel no need of God's help, then you are weak. When, however, you are weak and know it, and so depend upon God, then you are strong. Paul's paradox is not strange at all, but a fact of life we all experience. When we can grasp the words of Christ, "Without Me you can do nothing," then we are in the state of weakness where we can say with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The stronger a Christian is the greater is his danger of depending upon his own abilities, gifts and talents, intellect and reasoning. It is possible for believers to rely on their own power to live the Christian life, but it’s nothing more than a life built on the flesh. God has built a paradox into the divine-human relationship. It is only when man surrenders to God that he conquers. It is only when he submits to be dependent upon God that he becomes a channel of divine power and resurrected life. Gideon had to learn this paradoxical truth. It’s the narrow road that leads to life and victory was won on a Roman cross through the death of our Savior. The Scriptures are filled with examples that exemplefy this truth.
What are the things in your life that have challenged you and made you come face to face with your weakness? Is it your children, your marriage, or, perhaps, a grievous loss? Whatever it is God is using it in your life to make you weak, so that you might find your strength in Him and unleash His power in and through you. Your weakness will be your greatest strength, since this is where you will find and experience the over-coming power and strength of Christ in you!