2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (NKJV): For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
GOD is REAL and UNCHANGING, the same yesterday, today, and forever, and GOD is TRUTH. He loves us and wants us to be real--honest--in who and whose we are. He wants us to remove our masks of perfection, so we can actually relate to and reach those who are hurting, wounded, broken, depressed, sick, lonely, and lost. He tells us there are no perfect people except JESUS, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD. Likewise He tells us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, for when we confess our sins, our brokenness, our infirmities, our thorns, our flaws; when we humble ourselves and surrender all to GOD; when we admit that we are imperfect; and when we are TRUTHFUL and TRANSPARENT and REVEAL our real HEARTS first to GOD and then to others as we are led of the Spirit, THEN GOD can FORGIVE, HEAL, DELIVER, TRANSFORM, STRENGTHEN, EMPOWER, and USE us for His purpose, His plan and His glory. When we ADMIT that we are weak in our own strength but MIGHTY IN THE LORD'S and that we truly NEED JESUS as SAVIOR, LORD, REDEEMER, HEALER, PROVIDER, PROTECTOR, COUNSELOR, HIGH PRIEST, ADVOCATE, and FRIEND, then we become STRONG and can actually FISH FOR OTHERS and DRAW THEM CLOSER to GOD the FATHER; and through CHRIST, we can CHANGE a LIFE, SAVE a SOUL, ENLARGE GOD's KINGDOM, and TRANSFORM our world. All we've got to do is REMOVE our own MASK of PERFECTION and BE REAL, especially with GOD.
And here's the truth of GOD'sWORD: We are SAVED BY GRACE through FAITH, so we don't need to PRETEND we're PERFECT or wear a PERFECT MASK on our faces; we just need to REPENT, CONFESS our sins, RECEIVE GOD's FORGIVENESS and JESUS' RIGHTEOUSNESS, BELIEVE we're SAVED, and carry JESUS the PERFECT SON and GOD the PERFECT MASTER in our hearts. Then, GOD WILL BE IN US and GOD WILL BE WITH US wherever we go, even until the end of the age.
