The Day I Discovered the True Meaning of Strength in Weakness
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
This verse has always been challenging for me.
Maybe you feel the same. But let me share a story that gave this scripture profound meaning in my life.
In the spring of 2020, I was pregnant with my second child, and God placed it on my heart to leave my banking career. It felt like a large ask, because I loved my work and was on the brink of a promotion. Walking away from it all to become a stay-at-home mom didn’t align with my “career woman” mindset. It didn’t make financial sense, and it certainly didn’t fit into my plan.
One morning before work, I read Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. These verses resonated deeply, yet I couldn’t grasp their full meaning. I prayed and asked God to help me understand and to reveal what they meant for my life.
Just a few hours later, I began experiencing severe symptoms that suggested a miscarriage. My heart shattered. At ten weeks, everything had seemed fine, and we’d just started sharing the news with our family. The thought of telling my grandmother, who had been overjoyed the week before when I told her, broke my heart even more.
Living in a rural community, the hospital was an hour away. When my husband offered to drive me, I declined. “No. What’s the point?” I said, determined to handle the drive alone. But as I drove, my mind spiraled with questions. “God, why would You ask me to leave my career if I’m not having this baby? It took so long to get pregnant—how long will it take if we try again?” Any hope that the baby was still alive felt naive. I’m an intelligent woman, I thought. There’s no way this isn’t a miscarriage.
At the clinic, the doctor’s questions and grim expressions confirmed my worst fears. Holding back tears, I prepared myself for the heartbreaking news. As the ultrasound began, I prayed, “God, just help me be strong.”
Then came the unexpected words: “Well…the baby appears to be fine! You must have hemorrhaged, but you did not miscarry.” I burst into tears, overwhelmed with joy and relief. In that moment, God demonstrated that no matter how weak we are, His power sustains us.
This experience marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. The pregnancy remained high-risk and unfolded during a global pandemic. I later made the difficult decision to walk away from the promotion, embrace being a stay-at-home mom to my two sons, and embark on an entrepreneurial journey. Four years later, I can say with confidence that God’s plan is so much better than my own.
Now, when I ask Him to help me understand His Word, I always follow up with, “But please don’t do anything crazy!”
Additional References for Study:
• Isaiah 40:29-31: God’s promise to renew strength for those who wait on Him.
• Philippians 4:13: Finding strength in Christ to face any circumstance.
• Romans 8:28: Assurance that God works all things together for good.
• Psalm 34:18: A reminder that God is near to the brokenhearted.
• James 1:2-4: Encouragement to view trials as a means to grow in faith.
• 1 Peter 5:10: A promise of restoration and strength after suffering.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
