Turning Weakness into Strength!

Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

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The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training themaster had taught him only one move."Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll everneed to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

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Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For awhile, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened."No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boyhad won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

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On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind."Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?""You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grap your left arm."The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
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Sometimes we go through periods in our life when we succumb to problems or weaknesses without putting up much of a fight. These problems just overwhelm us and burden us. But what would our life be like if we could master our weaknesses and turn them into our strengths. What if we could turn the least of ourselves into the most of ourselves? Today, take time to reflect on your weaknesses.... don't sulk about them but learn to accept them... take little steps of improvements and praise yourself when there is progress. Even if you fail, don't give up! try again...it's free! But most importantly, the answer to our weaknesses, as plain as it maybe, is in prayer, something myself, and I'm sure many others don't do enough of. Imagine the possibilities if we prayed just once a day to overcome our weakness and translate it to a strength. His grace is sufficient for me, His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9).