“ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
One of the most difficult interview questions that I have encountered as an interviewee and witnessed others struggle to answer as a HR Professional is “What are your weaknesses?” Often the responses are vague, such as, “I could work on organizing my paperwork more.” Instead of exposing real weaknesses, such as, “I am late to work every day because I am not a morning person.” The thought of having to outwardly expose one’s weaknesses is seen as too much of a risk due to reality of rejection and the thought of becoming vulnerable is like a death sentence. We prefer to continue to wear a “cape of strength” that is clearly shredded to pieces. Because, after all, what is a super hero without a “cape”?
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Apostle Paul dismantles this notion of the “cape” and allows the reality of it all to set in by making us aware, especially as believers, that we are only as strong as our weaknesses. We are not to deny our weaknesses, but acknowledge them so that God may become our strength in our moments of weakness. Now what if when asked the question “What are your weaknesses?” a candidate saw it from a different perspective? What if the candidate answered truthfully and the company only posed the question as an opportunity for the candidate to expose their area of lack so that they may provide them with the necessary resources to grow? Sadly, the opposite takes place, and one is left facing the consequences of not exposing true weaknesses….loss.
We often cover up our weaknesses and it ultimately costs us the opportunity to experience God’s power and strength. Maybe your weakness is the inability to handle difficult people or the inability to properly convey how you feel when hurt. Undoubtedly, our inability to handle our weaknesses can leave us depleted, disgruntled, and depressed. If you are feeling this way, I encourage you to bring your weaknesses to God on today. Discard the shredded cape and allow God to show you His power! After all He didn’t create you to be stronger than He is! Now may I ask you…. “What are you weaknesses?”