When I am weak, then I am strong.

"You're as healthy as a horse". That's what they always told me. Growing up I was never allowed a day of school because of sickness. I tried everything - falling out of trees, off my bike - but my bones would just not break.

In 1980, after failing my HSC, I left home to join a Christian Theatre Company known as `The Covenant Players'. I was on the road for 6 months, when I began having seizures. I was later diagnosed with Epilepsy. I gave the doctors a real hard time, but it wasn't too long before I was on the road again.

My Epilepsy became a `thorn in my side'. I continued to have grand mal seizures in the most `public of places' - at bus stops, shopping centres, the zoo, and even at Church. I would usually end up in hospital, feeling like a complete `dork' because I couldn't even remember my name.

For many years my Eplipsy continued to plague me, because they just couldn't find any medication that would work. I started to become very dependent on others, which I hated. It wasn't long before I started having anxiety attacks at just the thought of leaving the house.

One of these days, when I was feeling rather sorry for myself, I opened my Bible and discovered this passage in 2 Corinthians 12. In Verse 7, Paul tells us of the "thorn in his flesh" that keeps him from `getting puffed up'. Like myself, Paul had begged that his `thorn' be taken away, and the answer he always received from God was: "My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." (NLT) .


Paul's `thorn' would strike him at the most annoying of times, but when he was at his weakest, he was then able to gain strength from God.


"Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quiet
content with my weakness and with insults,
hardships, persecutions and calamities.
FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG."
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)


I took hold of this promise back when I was a young woman, and now as I grow older and I have other `thorns' to bear, I continually claim it as my own. It has been 6 years since I have had my last fit. I am now a qualified teacher and I have my licence. I have my independence, but still I rely most on my dependence on God.