Without God, you’re a weakling—but only in embracing your weakness do you truly rely on his power. Start living by God’s power today.
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SHAUNA: This is Shauna, on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. I will tell you the truth. Honestly, I’m nothing but a weakling.
JONI: In case you think you didn’t hear me right, I’ll say it again. I am a weakling. Nothing but a weakling. I know that sounds belittling, but I embrace it. And I say it because it’s so true. Without Jesus Christ, I am powerless, I’m a coward, and pretty much useless. I am weak in every way without my Savior.
Now, there is something that rubs us the wrong way when we hear that. It goes against our natural grain. Because nobody likes to be weak. We don't like to think of ourselves as weaklings, and we sure don't want others to see us that way. And so, we act as if we can do things that we know full well we can’t. And we come across as if we know things that we really don’t. We resist confessing when we are wrong, and that the other person is right. We don't want to be perceived as stupid, and so we don’t ask questions we need to ask. We do not ask for instructions. Instead, we act as if we can handle things that we can’t, and we don't seek help when it’s offered. We project to others that we will overcome things we know full well we can’t. And just why are we like this? Well, it’s all because we have this itchiness to appear as though we’ve got it all together. That we’re strong, that we’re in control; that we do not need help; that we don’t require someone to give us a hand. Well, my friend Paul David Tripp calls all this “A failed quest for the self-congratulatory glory of independence…” But we’re not independent, and we’re not created to be so. We are made to be dependent on the one who formed us. And right there, is why we’ve got so much trouble. We rebel against the fact that we were made to be dependent on God.
And it’s why I call myself a weakling. Because I am all too aware that I must be dependent. I have to be. I cannot handle things by myself. I need to ask for help. I need God. I’d fall apart without him. And so, I thank him for my built-in weakness; that is, my disability, my quadriplegia, my wheelchair. Thankfully, I cannot be independent in my quadriplegia. And so, I need God and others in order to live. It’s as 2 Corinthians 13:4 says. Paul writes, “For [Jesus] was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we also are weak in him, but we will live… by God’s power.” This verse tells us believers to rely on God’s strength rather than our own, especially in difficult circumstances. Because just as Jesus embraced his weakness and went to the cross, we likewise embrace our weakness and send our pride to the cross. And when that happens; when we crucify our smug, self-righteous, independence, we are raised with Christ and are happily able to live by his power. And so, c’mon, admit that you’re a weakling. Start living by God’s power. And as we close today, Shauna, would you read that Bible verse again?
SHAUNA: I’d love to, Joni. Second Corinthians 13:4 says, “For [Jesus] was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power.
JONI: Now, that is living like Christ did! Friend, I hope this message was encouraging to your heart today. The Word of God is so encouraging and so instructive. And I hope you’ll admit it right alongside me. We are weaklings.
SHAUNA: And visit joniradio.org today to see Joni’s exciting 2026 planner! All the details about her new planner are right there for you at joniradio.org.