Something beautiful has happened in my life. On this blog I have written about my memory and the concern that this would have a negative effect on leading a Bible study. After praying gobs about it I concluded God would use me in spite of it. Nothing is too difficult for God.
This summer while I was studying I asked God three times, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8, to take away my memory issues completely. There is no doubt my memory has improved but it is still a real problem. This has made me nervous about leading. I was having trouble believing nothing is too difficult for God.
After Paul prayed three times he heard from God. After I prayed I heard nothing.
It was the night before the first Bible study. I was reading another passage Paul wrote. This was to the Corinthians. I have believed the following of myself long before memory failure.
For consider your calling, brethren,
that there were not many wise according to the flesh,
not many mighty, not many noble;
but God has chosen
the foolish things of the world to shame the wise,
and God has chosen the weak things of the world
to shame the things which are strong,
and the base¹ things of the world
and the despised God has chosen,
the things that are not,²
Why?
so that He may nullify the things that are,
so that no man may boast before God.
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus,
who became to us wisdom from God,
and righteousness and sanctification,
and redemption,
so that, just as it is written,
“LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOASTS IN THE LORD.”
(1 Corinthians 1:16-31 NASB)
Continuing on, when Paul went to Corinth he went “in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.” (2:3) Boy, could I relate. So I checked out the cross references and “lo and behold,” they were 2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:5, 9f! The very verses when Paul asked God to take away his affliction.
At last, God had answered me!
I realized, if Paul had been in my situation, he would say, “My memory is bad but I am glad! For when I am weak then I am strong.” My memory issues will not improve. Rather through my weakness God’s power will be seen. This reminds me of a broken, cracked vessel through which the light of God shines.
These thoughts came the night before my first class. I’ve never been more nervous than I have been for this class. But God sent peace and the next day I lead the class with total peace of mind.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
Is this true of everyone who leads that wants God’s power to be on them? Is God’s power always seen through a weakness? Or is this true whether we know it or not because we are all weak human vessels?
¹ Base means “low born/insignificant” – from The Amplified Version
² Not means “nothing” – from The Amplified Version
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Lena Rae
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Be Ye Glad! 
Lena, I often find encouragement and strength from Paul’s words too. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Everything must come from the Lord or it is “as dung,” like Paul describes in his letter to the church of Philippi. The passage you expounded upon from 1 Corinthians and Philippians 3:7-9 together creates a contrasting image. On one end of the spectrum is weakness, we can boast in the Lord’s work through us. While the other end of the spectrum is reckless confidence in our own righteousness [strength, knowledge, or wisdom] it is like dung [stinking manure].
God bless you as you continue to allow the Holy Spirit to shine light through your brokenness and weaknesses.
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Thank you and bless you! I am learning so much and glad for the opportunity to share God’s precious word with other women. Thanks for pointing out the contrast between 1 Corinthians and Philippians 3:7-9. I didn’t see this until you showed me. Thanks again. ❤
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Undisputed truth….. what more is there to say?
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Thank you Jesus! ❤
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Very nice!!!! I love this! And what great scripture to lean into and reflect on!!
Sweet blessings to you!!!!
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Thank you! And the same to you. ❤
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Thank you for sharing how God brought forth His strength in your weakness, Lena Rae. Few are willing to be so real and vulnerable. I believe we are all weak, but some of us just don’t realize it. Meanwhile, God waits patiently for us to “Get a clue.”
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I believe the same. We need God far more than we realize. Thanks for visiting my blog!
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I’ve found with myself that God often does not remove our weaknesses or thorns. As you said, He uses those weaknesses to show how strong HE is. I’m thanking God He used you in spite of your memory issues. 🙌🏼
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Thank you for your comment! I am thankful too most days. 😊
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