The Dangerous Illusion of Strength—and Where True Power Is Found

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Devotional Reflection:

He gives strength to the weary, but opposes the proud.He increases the power of the weak, but opposes the proud.

Pride keeps us from acknowledging our failures and flaws. We do all we can to keep others from seeing our weaknesses. We don’t even want to look at them ourselves. Pride paints a picture of an imaginary version of who we are in an attempt to feel better about ourselves and to persuade others to see us the same way. Pride is weakness, but God does not increase the power of the prideful nor does He give strength to the arrogant. His strength and power require the humility to admit we are weak and to be honest about our weariness.

We struggle by hiding the parts of us we fear do not measure up to some undefined and impossible standard, but Paul taught us to boast in our weakness. To make known where and how we struggle makes way for God to receive the glory.

Often, there are Christians whom no one would believe struggle at all. They are not vulnerable enough to share their imperfections. But the façade of strength they present places the glory at their own feet rather than at the Lord’s. It is neither deserved nor real. Their pretend life does not put God front and center; instead, He is set aside behind the Hollywood set of their life.

Eventually, the day will come when God allows circumstances that their imagined version of themselves cannot overcome. But their pride has pushed God away, so when they need strength, it does not come.

Let us humble ourselves and be honest about our inadequacies so that God can be glorified. For where we are weak, He is strong.

Short Prayer

Lord, help me to lay down my pride and be honest about my weaknesses. Teach me to depend on You fully, so that Your strength may be made perfect in me. Be glorified in every area of my life. Amen.