Learning to Relax in My Limitations

In 2 Corinthians 4:7 I read, “We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us.” (NCV)

I’ll always be discouraged when I try to be a superhero and do more than is humanly possible. I need a more realistic view of myself: I can’t fix everyone's problems. I can’t be in more than one place at one time. I can’t do everything I want to do. I can’t spend money I don’t have.

I need to learn to relax in my limitations. Anytime I live outside of the limitations of my life, I’m going to get discouraged. It’s easier to fill my schedule than it is to fulfill my schedule. It’s always easier to get in than it is to get out. It’s easier to make a promise than to keep a promise. It’s always easier to get into debt than it is to get out of debt.

Often the first signs of overextending show up in my body. The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us” (NCV). In other words, I need to know my limits. I need to recognize the warning signs when I’m overextended and realize I’m just the vessel and God is the power.

Our bodies are like clay jars—we’re all a little cracked because we’ve all been dropped here and there. But God often puts his greatest gifts in the weakest people, and that gives us the opportunity to point back to him and say, “That’s got to be God. That could have only happened through God’s power.”

Throughout history, God has used flawed instruments to put his glory on display. Nothing would get done if God only used perfect people, because there aren’t any!

I may think it’s best to hide my weaknesses, but God wants to use them in my life. But first, I’ve got to recognize and respect my limitations. Then, I trust in God’s power and not my own to accomplish his purpose for me.

In summary, I have a treasure from God, but I’m like a clay jar that holds the treasure. This is to show that the great power is from God, and not from me. I’ll always be discouraged when I try to be a superhero and do more than is humanly possible. I will never be able to fix everyone's problems. I need to learn to relax in my limitations. Anytime I live outside of them, I’ll be discouraged. It’s easier to fill my schedule than it is to fulfill it. It’s always easier to get in than it is to get out. It’s easier to make a promise than to keep a promise. The first signs of overextending myself show up in my body. Therefore I need to know my limits. I need to recognize the warning signs when I’m overextended and realize I’m just the vessel, and God is the power. My body is like a clay jar, a little cracked because I’ve all been dropped a few times. But God puts his greatest gifts in the weakest people, and that gives me the opportunity to point back to him and say, “That’s got to be God. It could only happen through God’s power.” Throughout history, God has used flawed instruments to put his glory on display. While I may think it’s best to hide my weaknesses, God wants to use them in my life. But first, I’ve got to recognize and respect my limitations. Then, I trust in God’s power and not my own, to accomplish his purpose for me.

Father, this is a good reminder for me to not go beyond my limitations trying to be all things to all people. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I ask that you help remind me of this. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I ask these things through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.