“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
No one likes to feel weak. In fact, nothing in our culture embraces weakness.
From protein-obsessed gym goers to those weird mobile ads that swear they’ll magically ‘reduce your brain age’ by playing their game, everything around us encourages eliminating weakness at all costs.
Is that what the Gospel tells us?
Don’t get me wrong, it is frustrating to feel weak. Usually, I end up trying to cover up my failures with shiny distractions that crumble as soon as the Lord so much as looks their way. But I keep on pretending. Why? Because I’m afraid that the Lord won’t take care of me if I show Him all the places I’m broken.
Whether it’s through debilitating chronic illness, failures at work, or sexual addiction, when we feel weak, it feels safer to hide than run into the arms of our Father. And we have to recognize it’s our own frail human trust that creates this tendency.
We have to recognize the lie we believe: that God could never give us perfect love because the love we know is imperfect.
All of God is perfect, and He loves you perfectly, in your weakness and your strength.
He crafted you intimately and specifically, and He delights in you. He wouldn’t give you flaws that would draw you permanently away from Him.
Your weaknesses are not ugly or worthless—they’re a beautiful reflection of God’s love for you. He trusts your love for Him so much that He desires you to share in the suffering of His Beloved Son.
If you’re feeling weak right now, fight the urge to run away.
Imagine what it would be like to let the Lord truly take care of you.
What would change if you decided to lean into Him for even a moment?
Let us pray using the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola:
O Christ Jesus,
When all is darkness, and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your Presence, Your Love, and Your Strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your Hand, Your Purpose, Your Will through all things.
Amen.
