Rising as a Mighty Warrior in the Midst of Weakness

Do you ever feel like you're not good enough, qualified enough, or don't fit the "right" appearance or mindset?

These are common limitations and insecurities we all face at some point. However, it's also important not to focus too much on your shortcomings and believe you can never rise to serve the Lord because the Lord sees you in a different light!

He doesn't judge you based on your past or background when He chooses to use you. He has a plan for you from the moment you're born, regardless of your age or appearance. He can turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Isaiah 40:31 promises, 

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

So, wait patiently on the Lord, placing your hope in Him, and He will renew your strength. You will soar like eagles! Through Christ, who lives within you, you can achieve great things.

Let me share a little about God's supernatural strength that can transform ordinary people into extraordinary vessels for His glory.

Renewal of mind

God is able to transform your weaknesses into strengths by renewing your mind. A perfect example of this is Gideon's life. Although God chose him to lead an army against the Midianites, he felt inadequate because his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he was the least in his family (Judges 6:15). But God did not see what he lacked. Instead, He saw Gideon's potential and referred to him as a mighty warrior. And indeed, God gave him victory in the battle.

Like Gideon, I was also a shy girl who shied away from people in real life despite being in front of the camera most of the time. The thought of preaching or leading worship in front of a large crowd frightened me. However, as I grew older, God helped me to put my old thoughts to death and strengthened me to shine brighter for His glory. Now, I am able to conduct non-stop praise and worship, write songs, share His word and pray for people with His strength.

God sees you as a mighty warrior, too and believes that you can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Allow God to renew your mind today and see yourself in the light of His word. As you wait upon Him, He will strengthen you from within and enable you to accomplish great things in your life.

Renewal of body

When God chose Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses expressed that he struggled with speaking and had a tendency to stutter. However, God transformed Moses' weakness into strength and granted him authority in his speech. The miraculous acts God performed through Moses, such as the parting of the Red Sea, continue to be discussed even today. Similarly, despite being young, undersized, and without a warrior's armour, David was chosen by God to defeat the giant Goliath. David's unwavering faith in God's might caused the giant to be defeated with just one shot.

Therefore, just like how God can renew your mind, He can also do the same for your physical body. So, don't lose hope if you're experiencing physical limitations due to sickness or pain. God has the power to renew your body and make you whole. No pain or disease can prevent God's higher plans for your future. My grandfather's life is a testament to this truth.

In 1969, my grandfather, who was 34 years old then, was afflicted with Tuberculosis. Back then, there was no cure for this disease, and he was in the hospital bed critical and vomiting blood. All his friends deserted him. The people whom he prayed for were mocking him. He literally became like Job.  He was heartbroken and was on the verge of giving up when my grandmother, inspired by the Holy Spirit, told him, "God said you will travel all over the world to spread the gospel. He will not allow you to die before He has fulfilled what He has planned for you." But due to so much suffering in the body, my grandfather was not encouraged by those words. One day, satan appeared before him and said, "If you follow me, I will make you my prophet. You will have all the wealth in this world. You will have no more pain." Though the offer was tempting, my grandfather remembered the suffering that the Lord Jesus endured on the cross for him, and he told the devil, "Of course, you may be able to give me everything. But you have not given your life for me like my Lord Jesus." At that moment, satan bowed down and left him. Then Jesus appeared and told him that all this suffering was a test for him so that he would understand other people's suffering and pray for them with His compassion. After this, my grandfather started the Jesus Calls Prayer Festivals, and several thousand attended the meetings. He preached for 40 long years with those same lungs.

God will also raise you up from your sickbed and make you strong. His Word will heal you; no earthly weakness, pain, or illness will hinder His plan for your life. You will become a mighty warrior, conquering physical suffering and bringing blessings to many while showing His love and compassion.

As Romans 1:17 says,

The righteous will live by faith.

You will live and have a renewed body. Thanks to God's supernatural strength!

Renewal of Soul

To truly experience the power of God, we must have a pure heart that submits to Him. This is where the grace of God comes in, helping us to renew the soul and create a clean heart.

Only God can renew the soul, as the New Testament teaches. The Apostle Paul emphasises this point, particularly in II Corinthians 12, where he speaks of his struggles with a thorn in the flesh and how the Lord's grace was sufficient to help him. Paul found that his weaknesses were not a hindrance but an opportunity for God's abounding grace to transform him into an extraordinary vessel for Christ.

Following Paul's example, you should also learn to delight in your weaknesses, insults, hardships, and difficulties, for it is in these moments that God's grace can truly shine. When you focus on the uplifting grace of God rather than your inadequacies, you can be renewed in the soul and reveal the glory of the Lord in all that you do.

Have you considered allowing God to completely renew and transform your life, making you an extraordinary child of His? Spending time with the Lord Jesus and seeking His strength to restore every aspect of your life is a great place to start. By opening up to God, confessing your deepest secrets, and asking for His help in your spiritual walk, you allow Him to work within you.

As you surrender each area of your life to the Lord, you will no longer be weak but a strong and mighty warrior. It will no longer be just you but Christ living within you (II Corinthians 4:7).

May you experience renewal in your mind, body, and soul and rise up to be a mighty warrior for God's glory.