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God Uses What Feels Weak
Last updated on: June 23, 2026 at 9:39 pm by Michele Gunn
God Uses What Feels Weak 2026-06-23T21:39:26-05:00 Michele Gunn
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

God Uses What Feels Weak/created in Canva
Many times, people feel weak because they just don’t understand who they were created to be. They are waiting for something magical to happen so that their goals and dreams can finally come to fruition. But God has other plans. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reflects this, “but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.”
God created us flawed yet fabulous because He wants a relationship with us. He wants us to depend on Him, to lean on Him. Let God use your weakness as your strength. Together, you will not be weak.
Feeling Disqualified or Weak
I chose the picture of the dandelion because it does not have the strength to hold onto its seeds when the wind is blowing. That appears to be a weakness, but it is one that God turns into a strength. It is through that surrender that the seeds of the dandelion are spread to create more dandelions. God does the same for us.
Similarly, society is quick to point out what is wrong with you. Growing up you were most likely told what needed to be fixed or worked on to make you a better, more successful person. It doesn’t stop as you age, learn and grow. Many women secretly feel that they are too old, too tired, too broken, too inexperienced and just not good enough. These lies are carried both personally and professionally. That is a lie that weakness disqualifies purpose. Even if you feel you are weak, that weakness can become a strength.
God’s Pattern of Weakness Turned into Strength Throughout Scripture
The Bible provides many examples of weakness turned into strength. There is Moses, Gideon, Esther, Peter and Paul to name just a few.
Moses’ was Weak in Speaking
Moses was an insecure speaker. When Moses told God he was a poor speaker, God reminded him that He created human speech and would guide what to say. Exodus 4:10-12 shares, “Moses, however, said to the LORD, “If you please, my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him: Who gives one person speech? Who makes another mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go, I will assist you in speaking and teach you what you are to say.”
Gideon Felt Weak in Fear
Judges 6-7 talks about the call of Gideon. Gideon was full of fear and doubt. When he did take action, he did it under the cover of night. He repeatedly looked for reassurance from God before he did what he was supposed to. God did reassure him and despite the fear that Gideon had, he overcame being weak and did what was asked of him.
Esther is Weak with Uncertainty
The Book of Esther talks about hope through uncertainty. She did not start out with a plan or even strength, but she did overcome being weak and fearful by relying on God.
Peter was Weak as a Flawed Human
Just like you and me, Peter was led by his humanity. It often made him weak, like when he denied even knowing Jesus. He also showed weakness through his cowardice when he sank while attempting to walk on water. He lacked faith. Jesus used him anyway.
Paul Displayed Both Internal and External Weakness
Paul shared his personal weakness in his writings. In Romans 7:15-20 he tells us, “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”
The Disciples also Showed Weakness
Many of Jesus’s early followers were uneducated, ordinary people, yet they were empowered to change the world. Hebrews 13:20-21 reads, “ May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever [and ever]. Amen. “
With all of this in mind, remember that God rarely chooses the “perfect” candidate. He equips the called. He uses what we perceive as weak to forge ahead with strength. Rest assured, that if you need more knowledge, perseverance or physical strength, God will provide you the opportunity to develop it.
Weakness Creates Dependence
Remember that self-sufficiency can distance you from God. You will begin to believe you don’t need Him and you can do it all on your own. That just isn’t true. God does call you to be in relationship with Him. God created you weak because it often deepens humility, prayer, surrender and compassion. If you are feeling weak, examine your relationship with God. Determine how you can strengthen it in those areas. Spend time praying with John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
Redefining Strength
Just like society tells you how you are weak, it also defines what strength may look like. Instead, have your definitions already prepared such as; continuing despite grief, forgiving others and yourself, showing kindness even when kindness is not shown to you, asking for help when you need it and remaining faithful in hardship. Remember that quiet faithfulness is still strength. You don’t have to announce it to the world, but know that god is waiting for you to share it with Him.
God Is Not Waiting for Perfection
To conclude, know and remind yourself that God is not waiting for perfection. He works through surrendered hearts. God works through your dependence on Him. Take some time to deepen that relationship as well as the dependence. Sometimes we rise strongest after surrendering weakness to God.
Pray this prayer of surrender:
“Loving Father,
I surrender to you today with all my heart and soul. Please come into my heart in a deeper way. I say, “Yes” to you today. I open all the secret places of my heart to you and say, “Come on in.” Jesus, you are the Lord of my whole life. I believe in you and receive you as my Lord and Savior. I hold nothing back.
Holy Spirit, bring me to a deeper conversion to the person of Jesus Christ. I surrender all to you: my time, my treasures, my talents, my health, my family, my resources, my work, relationships, time management, successes and failures. I release it and let it go.
I surrender my understanding of how things ‘ought’ to be, my choices and my will. I surrender to you the promises I have kept and the promises I have failed to keep. I surrender my weaknesses and strengths to you. I surrender my emotions, my fears, my insecurities, my sexuality. I especially surrender ______ (Here mention other areas of surrender as the Holy Spirit reveals them to you.)
Lord, I surrender my whole life to you, the past, the present, and the future. In sickness and in health, in life and in death, I belong to you. (Remain the Lord in a spirit of silence through your thoughts, a heart song, or simply staying in His presence and listening for His voice.)”
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