Everyone Has A Weakness: Get Real With Yours

We are in a “super-hero” time of human existence, where extraordinary men: the Marvel and Capcom’s heroes are no more in comics, games and movies alone but now walk on our streets. Men who have somehow figured out how to attain perfection; intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual, perfection of character, traits, interpersonal and intrapersonal relations, to mention but a few. By this I mean, they don’t make mistakes anymore, nor display some level of weakness. They are not subject to life experiences (insult, calamities, persecutions) they didn’t ask for and don’t have the ability to change.

I studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering and every time we study any engineering system, we look at it in two perspectives, the ideal state and the real estate, and one resounding fact in engineering is that the ideal state does not exist; at least not in real life, but only in the books. I believe the same goes with life. No “man”, at least not bearing this fallen body like Adam’s is perfect.

I was in a seminar like seven years back and the facilitator asked how many perfect persons were in the room, I happened to have the only hand that went up. I thought I was perfect, yes, I have gained a measure of control over some aspect of my life, but I was taught that admitting weakness is a weakness in itself, so, I didn’t want to be termed weak.

What is wrong with admitting weakness? I am sure the present age motivational books and speakers will tell me to be confident, never admit fear, maintain control and be composed, and never show weakness. Ever been asked if you have any weakness while facing an interview panel? I guess your fast mind would have processed that saying that you have none will make you look more appealing to the while admitting will make you look wimpy, but I definitely won’t want to employ a person that isn’t honest with their weaknesses, because we all have one.

The mighty King David came to terms with his; “Why are you cast down (discouraged), O my soul? And why are you disquieted (distressed, perturbed) within me? Psalms 42:5”. He did not act as if he has everything all figured out. And when he was confronted with his sin, he blurted out straight, “I have sinned against God”.

Paul all through his letters never for once thought that he had gotten to that point of perfection, he even said at a time that “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling (and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death). 1 Cor 2:3”

If we deny, excuse or hide our weaknesses, we prevent God from doing what He desires in and through us. As he wants to use our strengths for His glory, so He wants to use our weaknesses – TIM CHALLIES

“…but on my own behalf I will not boast, except my weaknesses…a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 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 the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:5-10 (ESV)
Pastor Rick Warren gave these 3 points on dealing with one’s weaknesses.
1. I must admit my weaknesses.
In other words, I need to stop pretending to have it all together. Stop hoping my weaknesses will go away if I ignore them, and stop making excuses and blaming others, which only hurts my credibility in the end.
2. I must be grateful for my weaknesses.
The limitations God allows in our lives are actually blessings in disguise! Our limitations guarantee that God will show up to help. They also prevent me from becoming arrogant, and nothing will limit my effectiveness in ministry more than arrogance.
3. I must openly share my weaknesses.
It’s called being vulnerable. I share my weaknesses by admitting that there are limits to my knowledge, my ability, and my energy. And being open is always risky. There will always be people in your congregation who don’t want you to be human. They’d rather put a halo on you and pretend you are never tempted and that you’re above the crass realities of life.
Refusing to be vulnerable is dishonest and hypocritical, but even worse, it sets up a scenario in which people become disillusioned with Christian leaders when your humanness eventually shows – and it always will.
Why is it so important to reveal your feelings?

• It liberates you from the stress of keeping up a false image.
• Some faults won’t budge until you confess them to others.
• You can’t experience grace without weaknesses.
• It’s the fastest way to endear yourself to others.
• Honesty supports your credibility, and people only follow leaders they trust.
• It encourages others to throw away their masks.

MY CLOSING WORDS
Being sincere with weakness is not denying God’s ability to help you out of it, but opening up yourself to be reachable to him. This post is not saying, publicize your flaws all over the town, but stop ignoring their existence, better face them and this start from acknowledging their presence, followed by talking to God about it, asking for his grace to take the right actions (in the place of things you can change like lust) and the grace to endure the ones you can’t change.
Then very important, the Bible also encourages us to “Confess (Admit) to one another your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offences, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored. James 5:16”. Talk to someone, someone who is mature enough not to condemn, but encourage and help and pray for you.

There is nothing wrong with admitting weakness. As long as that admission is based on the admission of God’s strength over it – Sanni Mayowa