There are Christians who are so capable and come across as confident and full of knowing the right thing to do… others are more susceptible to the hurts of life and appear “weaker.” I think in reality we are all struggling, just some cover it over better.

We all desperately need the Lord.

When troubles strike, we see it clearly. This is good! At this time we see ourselves as we really are- dependant on the mercy and strength of our Father in heaven and in constant and life-supporting help of the Holy Spirit. We also become more aware of our sins and failings. If this leads us to repent, that is good. If it only produces anxiety, that is unfruitful.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Maybe it is better to be afflicted with difficulties and to have the sensitivity to feel them, rather than just learn how to try to cope by ourselves. Maybe these afflictions will make us run to the Lord more quickly instead of building ourselves up in self-confidence. To have any hope or good thinking about our personality, abilities, strengths or character, is ultimately foolish. We perish without the Lord, and our Christian life will falter and descend into sinful mindsets that dishonour God. Without the Lord, all our supposed “goodness” will eventually fade.

Each moment we live for Him, is in His fellowship and He keeps His people close and strengthens them in His love. What if we could be open to each other about our desires and beliefs? What if everyone was open about what they want out of life or how they want to serve God? What if we were able to honestly support each other and stir each other up to good works?

We would be much closer for sure. But the culture in so many Christian groups today, is not conducive to trust. We hide and cover over good and bad, in order to try to maintain an independent outlook for ourselves and our lives.

Perhaps we are not so capable or confident after all. Maybe we need to come down from the exalted thinking about ourselves and seek the Lord humbly. A dependant culture on true Christian sisters and brothers, who will mutually help each other, is a precious environment. It cannot be manufactured, but is the work of the Holy Spirit in each life. A group of Christians is built together by the Spirit of God, and not organized by our own strategies.

The dependency culture in our spiritual lives with God is good. It is the way we should walk with God. We can hope in God and He will forgive and strengthen us in our inner person. If we do not depend on Him, then we will not ultimately have the hope, of a living and vibrant faith in Christ. So the weak who lie at the feet of their Saviour and look only to Him, turn out to be the powerful ones. The knowing that they are nothing in themselves, has resulted in a faith that can move mountains and a trust in God that conquers all.