The Strength In My Weakness

Every year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces a youth theme. In 2024, the theme is “I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ.” Along with developing and announcing the youth theme, the church also creates a soundtrack of new songs that relate to the theme. One song is specifically composed for the theme itself. For 2024, that song is “Disciple of Christ” (music video).

The chorus of “Disciple of Christ” includes “He’s the strength in my weakness”. It’s a phrase that has stuck with me and one I’ve pondered a lot about. I’ve realized that there are two main ways in which Jesus Christ is the strength in my weakness.

Strength To Overcome My Weakness

The most common understanding of Christ being the strength in our weakness is in overcoming our weaknesses. In the Book of Mormon, Moroni tells us, “if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).

Our weaknesses are there to remind us to rely on God. For me, it helps to remember what Ammon taught, “Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever” (Alma 26:12).

I’ve discussed some of my weaknesses in past posts. One of the weaknesses I currently am trying to make a strength is fasting. When I was younger, I had some issues with stomach acid that made it hard for me to fast. Instead of dealing with the pain, I would eat on Fast Sunday and not really take advantage of the blessings that come from fasting. Even today, I still have a problem fasting. It’s not a physical thing anymore, it’s just a weakness. I know that I can fast, but I keep leaving it to my strength.

It’s a silly thing if I’m being honest. I can fast. I have been successful in it. However, I have not humbled myself and exercised faith so that God can make this weak thing strong unto me. It’s something I’m working on.

His Strength When I’m Overcome By My Weakness

I’m an imperfect being. I make mistakes. I do things that cause me sorrow. In short, I’m a sinner who needs repentance. Usually, there is a moment of weakness that leads to sin. Like the prophet Joseph Smith, I, “In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins” (Joseph Smith History 1:28).

Christ is the strength in these weaknesses by providing me the path back. Because of His Atonement, I can repent. I can turn towards Him and progress on the covenant path. His sacrifice has made that possible.

However, there is another way in which Christ is the strength in these weaknesses. That is, through the power of the Holy Ghost, the understanding that He is rooting for me. I know that He loves me. I know that He will never give up on me. He is not only our Advocate with the Father, but He is our ultimate Cheerleader. He is also our loving Friend who supports us when we need it most.

Every so often I get melancholy. I can’t quite explain why I feel this way. It comes at different times in the year. Luckily, I’m able to recognize the feeling when it comes. This feeling can be a weakness, and there have been times when it has led me to sin. Over the years, I have felt something alongside that melancholy; an uplifting of my mood. It started as barely perceptible. I began to pay attention to it, and when I did it grew and the melancholy reduced. This is the cheerleading I was talking about. The “You can do this” or “I believe in you” feelings. This is the strength of Christ in my weakness.

Conclusion

Christ is the strength in our weakness. He can help us overcome our weaknesses if we humble ourselves and exercise faith in Him. He is also there when we fall. Through the atonement, He provides us strength to repent. Even before we repent, He provides us strength to get to repentance. He is our Friend and Cheerleader. He is our strength.