On Handicaps

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (MSG) Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”  Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

Observation

Paul considers his “thorn in the flesh” to be a gift because it reminds him that no healing or miracle is done in his own strength.  He is reminding us all that no matter what we bring to God’s work (talent, ability, education or ??) or accomplish in His name, we need to humbly give all the praise to Him, recognizing that it all arises from what we allow Him to do and be in and through us.  Paul knows that God can give any power, authority, talent, wisdom, strength, ability, words and any other resource to any one at any time to accomplish His will and purpose.  We should not consider ourselves special because He chose to give us a few that impress people.  Look at the artisans who constructed the Temple – no one is humanly talented enough to beat that elaborate candlestick out of one lump of gold.  God must have had His hand in it. 

We see God in Scripture reminding us of Who He is (“the Lord High and Mighty) and who we are if we remain meek and humble, allowing Him to be our strength.  One of my go-to stories is always Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace and coming out alive without smelling like smoke!   When I feel completely overwhelmed and insufficient, I am reminded the four lepers of 1 Kings 7, considered worthless by the city and yet the ones who brought salvation from desperate famine.   And then there is Jesus, Who drove sickness, disease and demons out with a word or a touch.

Paul is saying that his “gift of a handicap” rescues him from becoming prideful and accepting praise for God’s works.  Paul’s handicap is a constant reminder that when he allows God to be strong in his weakness, God comes in like a flood and accomplishes all He has planned.

Impact on Me

I am a person who does not like to be the center of attention.  Please don’t hand me the microphone!  This does not mean that I do not struggle at times with being unrecognized (which pride translates as unappreciated).   I have to burn calories to change the devil’s recording – “That was really bad!  No one thinks you are doing a good job!  You said what!?   You are hopeless!”  and so on.  I have to replace that recording with what Jesus says about me – “You are a child of God and a temple of the Holy Spirit.  I am with you and will never leave you.  I love and appreciate you and that will never change.  I have called you and will give you all you need to accomplish My will and purpose.”  

“I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.”  Pride always exposes weaknesses to condemn and accuse, but Paul is telling me (and you) that God exposes weaknesses so, when I surrender, I can flow in His strength.  This is a new perspective for me.   I am being asked to ignore the judgment, criticism and culture of my world to accept and see my life, my thoughts, my doings from God’s perspective.   As with Paul, my handicaps are meant to expose those hidden pockets of pride, my weaknesses, my “high and mighty” thoughts so I can take my limitations in stride and let Jesus take over.

Prayer

Lord, I want to take my limitations in stride and with good cheer, as Paul did.  I want to be surrounded by others who understand and accept limitations as opportunities for You to be strong and mighty.  I want to trust You enough to wait until You are ready to do a thing, even if I am getting really nervous or anxious from what I see as urgent.  Give me the gift of always being aware of my limitations and how they can be an opportunity for You to be strong.  I want to live a life surrendered to You, dependent upon You, listening to You, guided by You, awash in You.  Draw me into the garden with You more and more.  I love You, Lord.  In Jesus’ Name, make it so.

Author: LizG

Wife, mom, grandma & great grandma. View all posts by LizG