Don’t feed the weakness
“No thank you” is what I should’ve said.
So, let’s talk about weakness for a minute. It’s played a running theme in my life lately. And I’m curious if that’s true for some of you, too.
There’s nothing I love more than watching bravery in action. It’s awe inspiring and fills me right up with hope and motivation. I love seeing a person overcome their weakness. But in order for that glory-filled moment to happen, we first have to acknowledge weakness.
Maybe you feel weak right now. I do. I feel weak when someone challenges my point of view. Weakness always seems to creep in at the one mile mark in any run. I feel weak when I’m put on the spot. And worst of all, I feel weak in comparison to others.
It multiplies in the I don’t haves. And the can’t dos give it wings. My fear gives weakness a comfortable place to rest.
I go through phases when I laugh in its face. But like anyone else in the world, I have my kryptonite. People pleasing is my poison, and I drink it by the gallon. I make promises to myself, convince myself never again.
But I give in so easily.
I’m not sure if weakness is something you can learn to overcome. But I do believe you can practice your way out the habit. Because honestly? I think it’s our habits that foster weakness, allowing it to breed and paralyze. Changing a habit takes commitment, dedication, strength. Everything at which weakness recoils.
No thank you
They call me after dark, I don’t want no part
My habits, they hold me like a grudge
I promise I won’t budge
This past Sunday, the the student minister led the service. He was charismatic and entertaining and delivered a wonderfully powerful message. Did I mention he has a stutter? No. Because it didn’t matter. He got up there and brought the house down. The stutter reared its ugly head here and there, but he didn’t acknowledge it. He persevered and powered through. AND THAT’S HOW WEAKNESS DIES.
Words only matter if there’s action supporting them. Your weakness eats empty promises for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t feed the weakness.
The first step in overcoming is committing to try. So practice saying no without explanation. Take the mic and speak through the stutter. Sit down and type out the words in your heart. Keep running when your your mind says quit but your heart says go.
And no thank you is how it should’ve gone
I should stay strong.
Bravery looks different for everyone. Whatever weakness it is that you’re battling right now, you can stay strong. Weakness is built to cripple you, a devil’s tool to keep you from your dreams. But I believe in the power of persistence.
We, we fall for that
Wake up, we fall again.
Don’t let your failure stop you. Because you will fail. You may occasionally break the promise you made to yourself. And that’s okay. So what! You’ll do better next time. Take note of weak moments. Dissect and unpack them, because you’ll learn from them.
So I’m weak, and what’s wrong with that?
Weak, AJR
