“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
She whizzed around the kitchen, placing swift but delicate finishing touches on the cakes for the church bazaar. She knew that while the sweat dripped down her back and her legs ached with fatigue, it was a job well done. Plus, she had experienced such joy doing it.
Fast-forward eight hours. She had just put her children to bed, and the amount of time it took to get her autistic son into his pajamas and her well-meaning-but-squirmy toddler to brush her teeth seemed almost impossible. And the headache she had developed didn’t help, either.
Sometimes, it hurts to serve. Honing your spiritual gifts can certainly help so that you’re not straining against your God-given abilities. But it’s also good to remember that developing grit — the practice of not giving up, even in the tough times — is also a biblical value. When serving is an arduous task, and you know you’re supposed to do it, don’t give up and complain about it. Instead, let God's Holy Spirit work through your weaknesses. You will be amazed at what God can accomplish through you as you let His strength and determination be your guide.
Dear Lord, please give me the courage to drop the things that are not from You in my life. But I also recognize that You are calling me to continue serving in difficult areas. In these things, perfect Lord, help me to stand firm and to serve, expecting that Your strength and power would show through my weakness. Father, I know You have plans for my life that include a beautiful future and hope. Please help me to receive this and to live out of that hope! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take Action
If you have been serving in areas you no longer enjoy and you have confirmation that they aren’t part of God’s plan for you, set a timeframe for yourself to pass these areas on to someone who may be more equipped to serve during this season.
