From Weakness to Strength

How God transforms our struggles into sources of power

A daily devotional adapted from The Drive podcast

When I was a kid, one of my favorite places in the grocery store was the candy aisle—especially the section filled with nickel candies. On one particular trip, after multiple warnings from my mom about my behavior, I lost my chance to pick out a piece.

As we passed the candy aisle, temptation got the better of me. When my mom wasn’t looking, one piece of candy found its way into my pocket.

A few minutes later, as I unwrapped it in the backseat of the car, I caught her eyes watching me in the rearview mirror.

When she asked how the candy got there, I tried one last desperate defense:
“Mom… the devil made me do it.”

She calmly responded by explaining—step by step—why that simply wasn’t true. The devil didn’t force me. I chose.

And in that moment, I learned an important lesson that has stayed with me ever since:

Satan can’t make us do anything.

Understanding Weakness

I didn’t take that candy because I wanted to rebel against God.
I took it because I wasn’t strong enough to resist temptation.

And that’s the key difference.

Weakness is not rebellion. Weakness is part of the human experience.

Over the years, I’ve discovered many weaknesses in myself—some small, some painful. Weaknesses that affected my confidence, my relationships, and my ability to become who I was meant to be.

But one truth has brought me incredible hope:
God sees weakness very differently than He sees rebellion.

When we struggle, God responds with mercy—not condemnation.

Five Principles for Turning Weakness into Strength

1. Be patient with the process.
Weakness doesn’t disappear overnight. Just like building muscle, growth takes time, effort, and persistence. God is patient with us—so we must learn to be patient with ourselves.

2. Identify the real root.
Many outward weaknesses are symptoms of deeper inner struggles—often tied to insecurity or self-worth. True change begins when we stop treating symptoms and start healing causes.

3. Protect yourself wisely.
Strength grows best when we limit unnecessary exposure to temptation. Removing triggers isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

4. Increase the good as the bad is removed.
God teaches that we shouldn’t try to eliminate all weakness at once. As goodness grows, weakness loses its hold. Light overcomes darkness—not by force, but by presence.

5. Rely on Christ’s strength, not just your own.
God gives us weakness so we will turn to Him. His grace is sufficient. When we come to Christ with humility and faith, He has the power to make weak things strong.

Weakness as a Gift

One of the most powerful truths I’ve learned is this:
Weakness is not proof of failure—it’s proof of potential.

As we draw closer to Christ, we often see our weaknesses more clearly. That can feel discouraging, but it’s actually a sign of growth. Awareness precedes transformation.

When we rely on Him, weakness becomes refinement.

Today’s Daily Challenge

Today, choose one weakness you’d like to turn into a strength.

Ask yourself:

• Where does it come from?

• What can I do today to protect myself from it?

• What good can I intentionally add to my life today?

• How can I more fully rely on Christ’s strength?

Take one small step today. That’s enough.

Because when we are weak, then we can truly become strong.

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Thanks for spending a few quiet moments in reflection today.

For more daily devotionals, visit:
https://joshdowns.com/daily-devotionals

For gospel-centered lessons designed specifically for teens:
https://joshdowns.com/come-follow-me-for-teens