Mistakes happen. I know. But this was not just one mistake. It was two. In the same day.
Suddenly, my lighthearted attitude about making mistakes turned into questioning my abilities. How could a task-oriented, detail-driven girl like me make two mistakes in the same day?
Making mistakes can make me feel inadequate.
Defeated.
Unable to do the job or complete the task.
The truth is, sometimes I get caught up in my own ability to get the job done, and I run ahead full speed. Tackling one task with ease gives me the confidence to take on another. And another.
Before I know it, I've run into a wall, because I didn't slow down long enough to place my confidence where it belongs.
“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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)
In verse 9, Paul explains to the church at Corinth how God responded to him when he asked God to take away a "thorn in his flesh." Paul knew the purpose of that thorn, or weakness. Verse 7 says, "... in order to keep me from becoming conceited."
God allowed Paul to carry the weakness to keep his dependence in the right place. God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (v. 8)
Paul accepted his weakness with gladness, knowing full well he needed it. I'm inspired by how Paul acknowledged his own vulnerability. He wanted to remain humble. Keep the focus of his life and ministry on Christ. God provided grace for Paul, and He does the same for us.
Even when our mistakes reveal our weaknesses.
No one likes to have imperfections exposed. Thankfully, His power is made perfect in our weakness. (Tweet this.)
A mistake shouldn't cause us to question our abilities. It simply provides a pause for us to check our dependence. Have we become reliant on ourselves rather than our Savior? Do we put pressure on ourselves to never make a mistake?
God cares enough about us to expose our weaknesses, so He can shine through our lives.
Mistakes are OK. They happen. We are imperfect. But through those imperfections, God's power is revealed. Like Paul, let's embrace our weaknesses, knowing we can rely on God's strength instead of our own.