Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB)
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
These second set of scriptures became my life verses. I had so despised myself for being so broken and neurotic, because I was convinced I was disqualified for the abundant life Jesus offered. I had been such a fearful mess in the world and now discovered I couldn’t make it as a Christian either. Of course, as I said before, that was a lie from the devil, because I wasn’t disqualified at all. My weaknesses were attractive to Him, for through my weaknesses He could now demonstrate His strength.
I had prayed for two years that Jesus would takes away my fears, but instead He offered to be my courage. Instead of having human courage, I was now going to experience His supernatural courage, His peace, love, joy, strength, patience, etc. I didn’t have to pray for patience. He lived in me and He was my patience. I didn’t have to pray anymore for Him to give me love for someone, I could now simply thank Him as my life for His ability to love that person. He certainly began to set me free from all my weaknesses, not by taking them away, but by revealing His ability through them. They were His platform from which He could live His unlimited life. I had stepped into the supernatural.
One of the most amazing things was that I stopped rejecting myself. I didn’t have to be ashamed anymore after all those years for being so weak. 1Corinthians 15:10, says “By the grace of God I am what I am.” I was just what He was looking for; an earthen vessel through which He could express the surpassing greatness of His power. I didn’t have to be adequate anymore or feel guilty about. He was my adequacy and He lived in me, therefore I actually, supernaturally, became adequate in His limitless adequacy. The inner rest and joy was beyond understanding, and full of glory.
Oh yeah, after 35 + years, it just gets better. Have a great day in Christ.