Hidden Blessings

Strength in Weakness

The Apostle Paul found his strength giving out during a hardship that caused him terrible distress. He asked the Lord to free him from it, but the Lord’s response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9a-b NHM). Then Paul changed his tune and wrote, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Messiah may rest on me. . . . For when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:9c-10 NHM).

This snippet from Paul’s life teaches us that struggles, in a sense, are hidden blessings. That’s because when our own strength runs dry, God fills us with His strength, and then beautiful fruit blossoms. The following faith stories serve as testimonies to this wonderful truth. My prayer is that they will encourage, inspire, and equip you as they have done so for me. –Laura

These faith stories originally appeared
in a booklet I edited in 2012 for my congregation.
The booklet was for a women’s retreat of that year,
and the stories are reprinted with permission.