Playing the piano is one of my favorite hobbies and has been for many years. Yet, I often found myself failing to make the progress I desired. That is, until I got a teacher who helped me discover bad habits that were limiting my progress.
One of my mistakes was starting a new piece of music from the beginning every time I needed to practice. This resulted in the piece being played well at the start, but deteriorating in proficiency as it progressed.
Another mistake was not allocating sufficient time to the challenging parts of the piece compared to the more manageable portions. Consequently, the more difficult sections remained areas where I struggled to play with accuracy and precision, despite spending a lot of time practicing.
My teacher emphasized the need to work on my weaknesses and to tackle those difficult areas with much more effort, energy, and enthusiasm. He predicted that those difficult areas would eventually become my favorite passages to play and that the piece would be significantly improved. His prediction was spot on. The principle was that working on weaknesses is essential to significant and notable advancement.
Our failures often bring us painful and bitter memories. Yet, they can be the impetus for lasting transformation. Peter denied Jesus at His greatest time of need. He was so distraught that he thought that he was no longer worthy to be used by God. But because of genuine repentance, his weakness was used to effect a turning point in his life. Subsequently, God used him in an amazing way until his death.
Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians 12, acknowledged a trial that limited his own strength to accomplish what he wanted to. But in verse nine, Jesus responded with these comforting and encouraging words: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then concludes, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
So, don’t let your weaknesses define you. But instead, submit them to God. Rely on Him for strength. And let them remind you of God’s power to transform and produce lasting change.