We all have Weaknesses, or things that we don’t like about ourselves. Throughout our lives we constantly seek to overcome these weaknesses. Yet, the more we focus on our weaknesses, the worse they seem to get in an ever downward spiral. No matter what we ourselves try to do, we can’t seem to overcome these hated weaknesses.
In the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Moroni tells us of how he too agonized over his own weaknesses. When he turned to the Lord with his concerns over his weaknesses, the Lord revealed to him the key to overcoming them.
“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” Ether 12:27
It is encouraging to know that we have already finished the first step in overcoming our weaknesses, by seeing them in the first place. Recognizing our weaknesses is a sign that we are coming closer to God
“It is not an easy thing … to be shown one’s weaknesses. … Nevertheless, this is part of coming unto Christ, and it is a vital, if painful, part of God’s plan of happiness.” Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, Neal A Maxwell
Next, we need to develop humility. This is partially accomplished in admitting to a weakness, to begin with. The other part of humility is in acknowledging where our strength lies. This means realizing that where we do not have the power to overcome our weakness that God does. With God we can do all things.
When we add to our humility unwavering faith in God, (Faith that He not only can overcome your weakness, but that He will), then we give Him access to do the seemingly impossible. Not just get rid of our weaknesses, but turn them into a strength.
This last part is the key. It is God is who has the power to make weak things become strong. Sometimes God takes away our weakness and in the process he strengthens our character. Other times He leaves our weakness and instead helps us to see and use our seeming weaknesses in a way that transforms it into a great strength. Yet still we know that it is only through God that either can occur.
“Sometimes, in spite of all we do to “make weak things become strong,” the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, does not take away our weakness. The Apostle Paul struggled throughout his life with “a thorn in the flesh,” which he said served to humble him “lest [he] should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Three times Paul asked the Lord to take away his weakness, and three times the Lord declined to do so. The Lord then explained that His grace was sufficient for Paul and that, in fact, His strength was actually “made perfect in weakness.” Then Paul wrote, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
Like Paul, we can find positive meaning in weaknesses that are not taken away. Surely nothing is quite as humbling as having a weakness that we cannot overcome but must continue to struggle with throughout our life. Such a weakness teaches us, in a very personal way, that after all we can do we must rely on the grace of Christ to make up the difference.
As we humbly submit our will to the Lord’s, we find that our weaknesses can indeed become sources of strength if we put our trust in Him.” Making Weak Things Become Strong, Anne C. Pingree Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency
