Self abandonment

A Day-by-day devotional

March 20, 2023

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Joshua 1-5

Scripture of the Day: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

For many, it is not easy to cry out for help. In fact, asking for help is a very courageous thing to do. With it, we have to swallow our pride and forego our ego.

We rely so much on our self to get us through life. However, sometimes, when we make plans, they do not materialize as we have drafted them. That is quite disheartening.

Nonetheless, it is at our weakest when our abandonment of self begins to take place.

It is only when we realize that we actually are not capable of doing things on our own, using our power and might, that we let go of what is self and embrace what is God.

When we seek and try hard to be strong in and of ourselves, our strength never grows. In fact, we tend to use it up until nothing is left. However, when we arrive at our weakest point, when we hit rock bottom and cry out to God for help, His strength would begin to rise up from within us. This is because we have let go of self. We have abandoned what self wants. We have surrendered self to God. And that is what makes us stronger. It is no longer our own strength that is at work. God’s strength takes precedence.

As long as we refuse to abandon self to God, we cannot really be fully strong. This is the reason why the Lord sometimes allows us to undergo trials. For if we wouldn’t go through them, we would never realize our own weakness. We would never truly abandon our high regard of self and our own capabilities.

We are only ever strong in our weakness. Therefore, much like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, it is in our trials that we find strength.

Reflection: Have you realized how stronger you could become if you do not rely on your own strength? You may feel strong. You may be strong. But if it’s just your human strength that you’re using, it will dwindle. Go to the right source. Abandon self.

Prayer: I thank you Lord, even for the trials that you allow to come my way. They raise my strength, as so do you. Amen.