05. Contentment in Weakness with Emily Jensen
Today we’re sharing a conversation with Emily Jensen where she shares some much-needed encouragement for those who are feeling weak! If you don’t know her, Emily is the co-founder and content director at Risen Motherhood, co-author of the Risen Motherhood book, and author of a new book called He Is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak! We pray that this conversation serves to bolster your faith in the One who is truly your steadfast foundation amidst all the challenges of life.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
How would you describe weakness? How have you experienced it personally? How have you recognized it in others?
How do we try to overcome our weaknesses? Where do we find the strength we truly need?
How can we stop fighting our weaknesses and instead embrace them? How might we humbly consider our weaknesses while leaning into Christ’s strength?
How can we apply the gospel to our weaknesses?
How might our weaknesses impact our ability to serve others?
How can we extend grace to those who we’re ministering alongside as we experience the impact of their weaknesses and limitations?
What encouragement do you have for all of us “little ones” to hope in their strong, steadfast God?
NOTES & QUOTES
“When we feel weak, we have the sense that we don't have what it takes, that we don't have enough, that we are not sufficient in and of ourselves. And I think most of us have that feeling on a regular basis in our lives.”
“It doesn't really matter what type of weakness we're facing. The first thing that we need to do is just acknowledge it. You don't have to ignore it. You don't have to stuff it down. You don't have to try to bolster yourself up. Whatever it is, acknowledge it and take it to the Lord and look to Christ.”
“So often when we see a weakness in ourselves, we just think weakness equals bad. Like, how can I get rid of this as fast as possible or hide it? But Scripture doesn't shy away from the idea of weakness. In creation, God made us limited. We were not meant to be enough in and of ourselves. That's not a defect. That is the way that God made us.”
“We need sleep. We need food. We have limits to where we exist in space and time. We can't predict the future. We can't control everything. And so if we're mad at ourselves for being weak in those ways, we're not agreeing with God about the way he designed us. Only God is unlimited. Only God is abundant in his power and in his understanding.”
“We're gonna get to heaven and our lives are going to stand. We are going to be counted as righteous in Christ. Nothing is going to have separated us from the love of God. We're going to be told, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’ There is ultimate security there. There is no weakness in our life that is going to bring us down if we are on the foundation of Christ.”
Lauren: “What is it that is rendering you weak and weary? Is it physical pain or a chronic illness? Is it a seemingly never-ending season of waiting and longing? Is it the day-to-day monotony of your work? Is it the continual pull of temptation and sin? Is it the frustration and seeming fruitlessness of your ministry? Is it the crushing weight of grief? What is it that is bringing you low? And, I wonder, how might that weakness press you deeper into Christ? How might your weariness prompt you to look to God in strength and dependence? In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul writes that our “light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” I’ll be the first to admit that at times this verse has felt like a bandaid quickly applied to my gaping wound. Because how in the world could someone describe my pain, weariness, or weakness as light? My hurt never feels light or momentary. In fact, it feels crushing and overwhelming. But—even in our weariness—we actually can say this confidently alongside Paul because we have in view God’s eternal glory and the now-unseen radiance of heaven. I know right now this might not make sense. It might not even feel helpful to you in this moment. But just try to think about it for a second. No matter what depth of pain or weariness or hurt you are walking through right now, in light of the glorious weight and beauty of eternity, it will feel light and momentary. Just consider the magnitude of goodness and grace and majesty and joy that you would have to experience for your current pain to dim so much in comparison. This, friends, is what is offered to us in the gospel. This is the hope that we have in Christ. You might feel at the end of your rope, but remember, the Lord Jesus will not let you fall. He will hold you fast, you will persevere, he will carry you and sustain you through to the end.”
“I have to remember over and over and over again that I cannot be all things to all people. God created us with limitations. He created us that we would not be able to be sufficient in and of ourselves, that we would not be able to be enough, that we could not meet every need. And so again, that's good. We have to agree with God on that and remember, ‘I really can rest in that, that if I don't do all the things, it's gonna be okay. God is going to be in control. I can trust him in that.’ And so sometimes we just need to trust what he's doing when we can't do it all.”
“We have to be patient with others in their weakness because God is patient with us in our weakness. When you receive that grace from God and you realize how much you need help and you realize how long suffering the Lord is toward you, then that's how you can extend that to others.”
Lauren: “Maybe you’re listening to this episode and, by God’s grace, your faith feels strong, your heart is encouraged, and you are excited to put all your effort towards the work that God has set before you. First of all, praise God! What a gift! But second, take a moment to ask yourself if you have eyes to see those around you who might be weak? Is there someone in your church who suffers from illness or debilitating pain? Is there a young mom who seems overwhelmed by the needs in her current season of life? Is there a couple who you know is grieving their struggle to conceive? Is there a widow who might be experiencing deep loneliness? Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see those around you who might be weary. Pray for them faithfully, get to know them, ask them about their needs, and seek to come alongside them in their weariness. Consider past seasons in your life where you have felt needy and weary. How did others encourage you? What Scriptures did you hold onto? How did the Lord uphold you through that season? Remember 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, which says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Consider, how might you comfort others with the comfort you have received? Maybe this looks like offering tangible help to a woman in need in your church. Maybe it’s stewarding your own past painful experiences and starting a grief group for hurting women in your church. Maybe it’s driving an older woman to her hospital appointments. Or maybe it’s as simple as giving a hug to a woman at church, sending a text to say you’re praying for her, sending her a Venmo for a coffee treat, or dropping her favorite pastry off at her door. Our local expressions of the body of Christ are a beautiful place to offer care and support to those in need…. Let’s lean in and care well for the weary women around us.”
“God wants us to come to him just like a child to their parent or a sheep to a shepherd. We are safe in his care. We are loved. We are welcomed.”
“I have to remember to rest my heart in Christ no matter what the situation is and remember these truths. Sometimes when I'm very physically tired and there's not a clear end to the situation that I'm in, that is the rest that I have to hold on to, that Christ is working in me, he's working through me, he's caring for me, he's providing for me. There is rest in that.”
RESOURCES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How have you personally experienced weakness?
Where have you found strength amidst your weaknesses? Is there a particular Scripture that has brought you encouragement? (Consider memorizing the passage!)
How does God’s character—strong, steadfast, sovereign—bring you encouragement during your seasons of weariness?
Is there someone around you who might be feeling weak and weary? How might you come alongside them in their weakness?
What might you do or implement based on what you learned in this week’s episode?
IMPORTANT NOTE
Journeywomen interviews are intended to serve as a springboard for continued study in the context of your local church. While we carefully select guests each week, interviews do not imply Journeywomen's endorsement of all writings and positions of the interviewee or any other resources mentioned.
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