Why Your Weakness Is God’s Greatest Opportunity

The Resilient Disciple Blog

by Joey Koontz

Ever try to hide the one thing you hope no one notices? The habit you cannot shake. The fear that wakes you up at 2 a.m. Most of us bury it and hope it goes away. Paul did the opposite. He dragged his weakness into the light and watched Jesus fill it with power.

Scripture

“So to keep me from becoming conceited, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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 when I am weak, then I am strong.”2 Corinthians 12:7 to 10 ESV

What This Really Means

Paul had the kind of resume men respect. He was beaten, shipwrecked, and chased out of towns. He also saw the glory of God in visions. If anyone could have walked around like a spiritual tough guy, it was Paul.

Right there, God allowed a thorn. We do not know if it was physical pain, a chronic limitation, fierce opposition, or relentless temptation. We do know the purpose. It kept Paul humble. It kept him close.

Paul begged God to remove it. That is a good prayer. “God, take this away so I can serve you better.” God said no to the removal and yes to something greater. God gave a promise for every man who feels overmatched. “My grace is enough. My power shows up best when you stop pretending you have enough on your own.”

This flips the script. Weakness is not a disqualifier. It is the doorway where the strength of Christ walks in. Boasting in weakness does not mean loving pain. It means telling the truth about your limits and inviting Jesus to fill the gap.

Why This Matters In Real Life

Most men try to muscle through. We cope, hide, or overcompensate. We act strong and feel alone. The gospel gives a better way.

• Honesty beats image. God meets the real you, not the edited version.

• Dependence beats performance. Grace is not a prize for the strong. It is power for the honest.

• Humility beats pride. Pride isolates. Humility invites help from God and brothers.
  

When Paul says he takes pleasure in weakness, he is not romanticizing failure. He is recognizing a pattern. When he reached the end of himself, the power of Christ rested on him. That is where courage grew. That is where endurance was forged. That is where fruit lasted.

How To Live This Out This Week

1. Name your thorn. Write it down. Anxiety, lust, anger, back pain, people pleasing, a short fuse, whatever it is. Specific beats vague.

2. Pray for both outcomes. Ask boldly for healing and relief. Also ask for power in the middle of it. Pray, “Jesus, let your power rest on me right here.”

3. Bring it into brotherhood. Tell one trusted brother today. Isolation multiplies shame. Confession multiplies grace.

4. Reframe the hit. When insults, pressure, or setbacks show up, say out loud, “This is where Jesus is strong.”

5. Do the next faithful thing. Read a chapter. Lead your family in a two minute prayer. Make the apology. Show up to work with integrity. Strength grows when obedience keeps moving.
   

A Word To The Perfectionist

God is not asking you to clean up to earn his help. He is asking you to come clean so you can receive his help. Your weakness is not the end of your usefulness. It is the beginning of your dependence, and that is where real ministry starts.

Prayer

Jesus, I am weak and you are not. I bring you my thorn. I have asked you to take it away. Today I also ask you to fill this place with your power. Make me humble, steady, and faithful. Let your strength be obvious in my life so you get the glory. Amen.

Reflection Question

What is one specific way your weakness could become a place for Christ’s power to rest on you this week, and who will you tell?

Simple Next Step

If this encouraged you, share it with another man who needs the reminder that weakness can be holy ground.

Looking for a community of men striving to draw closer to Jesus? One that supports, encourages and lifts one another up? Check us out at Brotherhoodforged.com Check out our podcast at linktr.ee/brotherhoodforged

My personal Youtube page can be found at youtube.com/@resilientdisciple