Finding Strength In Weakness

 Strength in weakness can lead to personal growth and resilience. Discover how embracing both the highs and lows of life can empower you.

The other day, I walked down memory lane and realized how our wins, failures, and experiences shape who we are.

Embracing Strength in Weakness

I, for instance, grew up in a village setting, and I’m very proud of where I come from. It was a humble background, but it was great because we had everything we needed. We might not have had it all, but we had everything that mattered. 

But as I reached my young adult years, left home, and was on my own,  I’ll never forget the challenges I faced while taking myself through college. 

I particularly remember how, every other week, I had to make a one-hour drive to a faraway school with a group of friends. We took turns driving, but our carpool arrangement had plenty of issues. 

My car had only two doors, and the driver’s side wouldn’t stay shut. To keep it closed on the highway, I resorted to tying it shut with old clothes. But that wasn’t the end of it. That two-door car smoked like there was no tomorrow. 

Despite the smoky engine and damaged car, we made it work. Of course, it was an unpleasant experience, but God is good because I was able to complete my studies. 

These are some of the things that I’m talking about. 

Life can be a wild ride full of ups and downs—good and bad moments included. I’ve had my fair share of both.  

But you know what?  

Despite all the craziness, I’ve learned that we can’t let those moments define us. We like to keep the good pages and flip through them because the memories bring joy. When we come to the low places of our lives, we want to tear the page and forget all about the bad memories. 

Honestly, even for me, there are a few pages I’d love to tear, burn, and forget. 

But I’ve learned that we can’t dwell on the past. We can only live in the now. The past is in the past, whether great or bad things have happened. 

We can only start to live when we accept that the past is the past. 

Embrace All Your Pages

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that every page of our story matters. Accepting the past allows us to live in the present, and finding strength in weakness is possible.

Initially, reflecting on difficult times can stir up negative emotions and prompt us to question why certain events occurred. But with maturity comes wisdom and acceptance. Now in my 40s, I find comfort in my experiences—both the good and the bad—that have shaped me into who I am.

The Power of Weakness

It may be tempting to tear out or burn the flawed pages of our lives, but those pages have made me who I am today. The ‘bad’ pages have built my strength and resilience, revealing the true essence of who I am.

If you have pages that remind you of heartbreak, loss, illness, or brokenness, those are the pages you must embrace. With age, you realize that these experiences have been preparing you for the present all along.

Perhaps the strength, hope, and resilience you seek aren’t found in your brightest moments, but rather in the painful chapters you wish to hide. To thrive in the present and future, you must choose courage and accept these experiences instead of dismissing them.

Vulnerability as an Asset

Take a moment to consider where you feel vulnerable; those areas can offer surprising advantages. Embracing vulnerability can catalyze your evolution into a more authentic self.

This week, I urge you to walk down memory lane and face your vulnerabilities head-on. By leveraging these experiences, you’ll position yourself more successfully for the next chapter of your life. Embrace the strength in weakness and allow it to guide you forward.

Related: How to Deal With Emptiness