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Why You Need to Get Real About Your Weaknesses

  • Kelly Givens What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and in social media today?
  • Updated Nov 14, 2013

In job interviews, there are always a few questions you can expect. One often asked is, “What are your weaknesses?”

Of course, no one wants to talk about their weaknesses. So the savvy applicant will turn those weaknesses into strengths. Somehow, “I’m not good at working with other people on projects” becomes “I just expect the best and sometimes it’s hard for me to work with other people who don’t have my high standards.” Your future employer will probably read between the lines, but at least you didn’t have to admit how disagreeable you can be!

And yet, as is the case with so many things, the Kingdom of God turns the logic of the world upside down, emphasizing weakness over strength. “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27).

Rick Warren tackles the issue of weakness this week on his Pastors.com blog. He lists four benefits to admitting our weaknesses:

1. Weaknesses create a dependence on God.

2. Weaknesses prevent pride and act as a governor in your life.

3. Weaknesses cause a greater dependence upon other people.

4. Weaknesses expand our capacity to minister.

Admitting our weaknesses brings us closer to others, giving us the ability to minister more compassionately. In fact, as Rick points out, admitting your weaknesses probably needs to be written on your résumé if you’re going to minister effectively to others.

“If you’re going to have a Christlike ministry,” Rick writes, “it means that sometimes other people are going to find healing in the wounds that are in your life. Who can better help an alcoholic than someone who is a former alcoholic? Who can better help a childless couple than a childless couple? Who can better help than the person who’s been there? I believe that our greatest life messages come out of our deepest hurts.”

Wendy van Eyck has written on the subject of weakness many times. As her husband battles cancer, she is reminded of the power of weakness. “We’re always trying so hard to let everyone know that we’re strong, that we can do this, that we can overcome stuff on our own without anyone else’s help. But that’s not how God wants us to live. God wants us to live dependent on him. God wants us to be people in touch with our limitations, aware that we can’t do everything on our own, conscious that without Him and others we are weaker.”

What about you? What weaknesses are you trying to hide today? Look for opportunities to reveal those weaknesses in order that others might see your dependence on God and be encouraged to do the same.

Kelly Givens is the editor of iBelieve.com.