Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12: 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.” There is a good lesson for us to learn in the compilation of these two verses. In Joel we are encouraged to say that we are strong even when we are weak. Then Paul tells us that even when we are weak, we are strong. How can this be?
I learned recently that the verse in Joel is very flexible in the sense that it can be used in many situations. For example, consider this paraphrase, “Let the sick say, ‘I am well.’” Or “Let the angry say, ‘I am calm.’” God showed me that we are going to have a great influence over ourselves, our bodies and our circumstances by our words. Why didn’t the weak in Joel confess that they were weak? They apparently were weak. Why not just admit it?
It has everything to do with changing our circumstance. Why do we pray? Because we want to influence or alter the status quo. Correct? In like manner, God is teaching us that the words you say outside of prayer have something to do with the outcome also.
Paul had a revelation of this. He had come to know and understand that the words of his mouth were going to condition his result. He learned that in his weakness, he could wear Jesus’ strength. That is why we are praying, is it not? We do not presume, do we, that we are going to overcome in our own strength? No. It is the power of God working in us through the person of the Holy Spirit that overcomes every obstacle. When we confess the result for which we prayed, then we are backing our prayer with faith words and faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11: 1). In other words, you are putting substance into the situation. Your faith is the substance that the Holy Spirit is going to work with in order to craft the desired outcome. Your confession is part of your cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
So, let’s get busy doing our part. Pray to the Lord. Ask Him for what you will. Then keep speaking that result. Say you are strong even when you feel weak. Your feelings are not the final word anyway. Otherwise, why bother to pray. Keep your mouth in line with your prayer and your faith rather than reinforcing that which you are attempting to alter by praying. Let the weak say, “I am strong, for when I am weak, I am strong.” Amen.