Weakness Transformed

Weakness Transformed

Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17:17-51

We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.

As we look at ourselves, we may see more shortcomings than we really have. And we may be underestimating the unique gifts God has given us. Some of the things we beg God to remove may have a good side to them that we just haven’t grown to appreciate yet.

Young David went to visit his older brothers at the battlefield. When he heard the taunts of the giant, Goliath, he was ready for a fight. When David asked to be sent out to fight the giant, King Saul said, “Don’t be ridiculous! . . . You’re only a boy” (1 Samuel 17:33). Saul finally gave in to David’s requests. “Then Saul gave David his own armor. . . . David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like. . . . ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine” (17:38-40). David used the stones and sling to kill the giant.

The things that appeared to be David’s shortcomings were actually strengths. While growing up, David learned to compensate for his small stature by learning to use the slingshot to protect the flocks. Some of our apparent shortcomings may have taught us to compensate in positive ways. They may work for us and don’t need to be removed. They just need to be reframed in our thinking and handed over to God for his purposes.

When seen from God’s perspective, even some of our shortcomings can become strengths.