Strength: it's something we tend to ask for or work
towards a lot. We want to be strong through every situation. We want to become
physically stronger so we can beat the odds. However, is it good to always be
strong?
In times of trials we tend to do a few things: we break down when we are alone, we put on a brave face in public and say we are fine when others ask, or we tell others to the point where we complain to others. There are very few of us who actually open up to others when we are going through times of trial.
Is that a bad thing? Is it bad to not open up to others when we are having problems? Let me tell you a quote and then you tell me: "If I don't fully share my own brokenness... there's never full communion? Maybe Communion can only happen when not only our strong parts are broken and given, but when our broken parts are also given" (Ann Voskamp, The Broken Way).
In our times of strength we tend to tell others "it's all good." But when we are having problems we close off to others. That quote tells us that in order to have true friendship and a lasting impact on others we need to share our brokenness as well.
If people think we are strong all the time they are going to think something is
wrong with them when they are going through problems. And, they may not be
willing to share with you when they are going through a problem. It is only
through sharing our weakness that we gain full fellowship, friendship, and
communion with others. When you share your trials you are also sharing the
story of God's glory and grace through you.
Now listen, I'm not saying you should complain to everyone about your problems. What I am saying is that we should share with others so that we can walk with them, help them through their hard times, and show them what God can do through us.
So, will you pretend to be strong even when you are not? Will you share your brokenness with others in order to be in communion with them? Will you reflect God's glory?
2 Corinthians 12:9
In times of trials we tend to do a few things: we break down when we are alone, we put on a brave face in public and say we are fine when others ask, or we tell others to the point where we complain to others. There are very few of us who actually open up to others when we are going through times of trial.
Is that a bad thing? Is it bad to not open up to others when we are having problems? Let me tell you a quote and then you tell me: "If I don't fully share my own brokenness... there's never full communion? Maybe Communion can only happen when not only our strong parts are broken and given, but when our broken parts are also given" (Ann Voskamp, The Broken Way).
In our times of strength we tend to tell others "it's all good." But when we are having problems we close off to others. That quote tells us that in order to have true friendship and a lasting impact on others we need to share our brokenness as well.
If people think we are strong all the time they are going to think something is
wrong with them when they are going through problems. And, they may not be
willing to share with you when they are going through a problem. It is only
through sharing our weakness that we gain full fellowship, friendship, and
communion with others. When you share your trials you are also sharing the
story of God's glory and grace through you.Now listen, I'm not saying you should complain to everyone about your problems. What I am saying is that we should share with others so that we can walk with them, help them through their hard times, and show them what God can do through us.
So, will you pretend to be strong even when you are not? Will you share your brokenness with others in order to be in communion with them? Will you reflect God's glory?
2 Corinthians 12:9
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