2nd Corinthians

Personal Weakness helps us rely on Christ

2nd Corinthians 12:

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.


For a while we have been living in an age of ease. Even though the economic climate has caused a shift in the ease, we still live in the most physically privileged age of all time. Due to advances in technology and the prosperity of our country we have become, to one degree or another, saviors to ourselves. If we become sick, we go to the doctor or to the store and buy medicine. If we feel mental distress, there are legions of therapists at the ready to aid us. If we feel hungry we go to the store and pick whatever we like from cuisine that spans the globe. I fear that all to easily the days of the apostle of old are gone from our minds and we do not go the Lord first recognizing Him as the maker and ruler of all that is or ever was or ever will be in and on this earth.

Said Elder Oaks, 'Through the prophet Moroni, the Lord gave us this great insight into the role of humility: “I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” I believe this relationship identifies materialism as a peculiar Mormon weakness, a classic example of how Satan can persuade some to drive a legitimate strength to such excess that it becomes a disabling weakness." (Dallin H. Oaks, “Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign, Oct 1994, 11)

Q:What are my weaknesses? How can I use them to draw near to and serve the Lord?