Indispensable Weakness

“…those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable…But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it…but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Cor. 12:22-24

A few years ago it was determined that my husband Bruce required a knee replacement. He had suffered with pain in his knee for years and had several procedures to avoid knee replacement. Eventually, the inevitable was necessary and surgery was performed. During the months to come I am sure he doubted his decision as his knee pain was replaced with other issues from the surgery. It would take 6 months before he would truly benefit from the surgery and become free from pain. As he rehabbed, the weakness of the knee which was operated on forced him to depend more heavily on his other leg. While on crutches his arms became stronger to allow him the ability to navigate more efficiently as his arms supported his limited movement. The other body parts benefited from the weakness in his knee.

This is the same concept of our weaknesses in the Body of Christ. God uses the weakness of one to minister and grow the others in the Body. All of the members of Christ, the family, benefit from watching and encouraging others as they go through their pain and adversities. I cannot begin to express the manner in which fellow believers supported our family while going through the cancer of both my dad and my sister. While we were weak they became stronger for us and carried us in our weakness. Through our experience many in the Family became stronger in their own walk with Christ. They hurt when we hurt and they rejoiced with each success in which we experienced. They prayed for healing of our hearts when God called both of my family members home and through their strength of prayers my weakness of heart began healing.

I thank God each day for those Body parts who rose to the occasion to be strong while I was weak.