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. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Last week I was having one of those down weeks. “What is a down week?” you ask. It’s like a down day…only longer. I just wasn’t feeling my best. In fact, I was feeling particularly useless and helpless and just sort of down in the dumps. It seemed everything I tried to do was met with failure and disappointment.

Toward the end of the week, a friend pulled me aside to let me know something I had said the day before had given her great encouragement. She said, “Your words really meant a lot to me yesterday. What you said lifted my spirits and helped me focus on God’s work in my life.”

I was surprised by her statement because I was feeling so inept myself. It was during a time of personal weakness that God decided to use me. I certainly couldn’t take credit for this. It had to be God. Really, that’s the way God works. Scripture says He chooses to use the weak things to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). It reminds me of a children’s song I sang in my childhood. They lyrics say, “Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.”

We really do need the strength of an all–powerful God. So if you’re feeling weak right now, take courage! This is the precise time when God can use you, because His power is best displayed in weakness.