Weakness Is Not a Problem
Many believers find themselves exhausted, weighed down by constant pain, and overwhelmed by the expectations placed upon them—to be the strong spouse, the devoted parent, the “strong Christian.” Life can feel like a relentless series of moments too difficult to face. It is vital to understand that God does not expect strength or performance in such times. Weakness is not a failure of faith; rather, it is the very condition in which the gospel meets us and Christ ministers to us as our High Priest.
The lie that something is wrong because one cannot “get it together” must be rejected. Christ was appointed High Priest because of our weakness. He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). The original Greek conveys that He is deeply affected by, moved by, and intimately acquainted with our pain. He does not stand at a distance demanding we climb to Him; instead, He draws near in our exhaustion.
How Need Activates His Supply
When strength is gone, the response is not to summon inner fortitude but to shift what and who we lean on. The call is not to be a strong Christian woman or man, but to be a dependent child of God. Christ died for us “when we were yet without strength” (Romans 5:6). He specializes in those who have nothing left. Weakness is not a barrier to God; it is a signal that activates Christ’s high priestly ministry. He ever lives to intercede for us. In moments of pain and confusion, His intercession is ongoing, and His comfort is surely on its way.
Often, believers become so aware of their weakness that they begin to apologize to God, searching for some sin or failure. Yet God frequently allows this frailty not as punishment but to make us aware of our deeper, constant need for Him. It causes us to cry out, “Lord, have mercy.” In that cry, we partake of Him. Our nature is to drift into unconscious self-sufficiency, to say, “I’ve got this.” But God, in shepherding love, brings us back to conscious dependence. This is a discipline, a training to remind us who we truly are: not self-sufficient beings but those whose life is Christ.
The Purpose Is Christ and Comfort for Others
The question often arises: “Why is this happening?” While the specific reasons for illness or suffering may remain unknown, God’s purpose in allowing it is clear: to make us hungry for Him alone and to prepare us to comfort others.
This is not about progressive sanctification through suffering, but about being compelled to find life, breath, and sustenance in a Person when circumstances offer none. The goal is not a future pain-free existence but a Christ-satisfied soul now. The comfort received in crying out to God is never only for the individual. Paul understood this well: “Blessed be God… the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
God brings us into trouble so that we may be comforted by Him. That comfort becomes our ministry. Patience with children in pain, whispered prayers in overwhelming moments—these are powerful fragrances of Christ to a watching world. Like Jesus, we are trained to be “touched with the feeling of… infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15), enabling genuine sympathy for others in weakness, not merely theoretical knowledge.
Blessed Even in Weakness
Weakness is not a curse but a blessing. The Christian life is not promised to be free of thorns, but it is promised the constant, sympathetic ministry of our Great High Priest through every trial. We carry “this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The treasure is Christ; the earthen vessel is our weak, frail body. The cracks in the vessel allow His light to shine forth.
This weakness is not punishment. Our position in Christ is secure. Wherever the Ark is, we are in the Ark. We are in the heavens with Him, blessed with every spiritual blessing, even as we live in this flesh and fallen world. Both realities are true. God’s attitude toward us is based on Christ, not on our present capacity. He knows what we can endure and will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear. He shepherds us tenderly.
Therefore, instead of focusing on the daunting path of pain ahead, fix your eyes on your High Priest now. He learned obedience through suffering so He could be a faithful High Priest for us. He feels every ache with us and responds with His indestructible life. There is no need to figure out the future or find more strength. The call is simply to be the weak one He carries today.
He is enough for this moment. And for the next one.
