I feel Gods presence the most in my darkest times. His power seems greatest in my weakest moments. Sometimes pain exposes our vulnerability and opens the door for God to do a work in us that can become a powerful testimony.

The apostle Paul begged God 3 times to remove the ‘thorn in his flesh,’ which God allowed to keep him from getting too proud. Every time, God answered the same: “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.”

Perhaps we too would become arrogant without our deficiencies, or so independent that we would abandon God altogether.

Sometimes the ability to endure hardships and not crumble is a witness of Gods power as illustrated in 2^nd Corinthians 7 & 8:

But this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us –is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up.

His ‘power works best in our weakness’ if:

In our brokenness others find hope,

in our troubles others find strength,

and in our despair others see Christ.

Jodie Stevens