This overview of the theme of weakness in the Bible offers readers practical encouragement and hope as they learn to view their frailties as part of God’s plan and purpose for their lives.
Our culture deifies strength—and sadly, the church does too. Who has the most successful ministry, the largest congregation, or the godliest family? Our misplaced faith in human strength is a false hope with no basis in Scripture.
But a closer look throughout the Bible reveals the central role human frailty plays in the redemption story. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s power is made perfect when people are at their weakest. Far from an undesirable defect, God designed our weakness to draw us closer to himself.
As you learn to accept the good gift of weakness, you will experience true strength—the kind that only comes from a loving and infinitely powerful God.
About the Author :
Eric M. Schumacher is an author, podcaster, songwriter, and has served in pastoral ministry for over two decades. He is currently the pastoral ministry director for the Baptist Convention of Iowa. Along with Elyse Fitzpatrick, he is the coauthor of Worthy and Jesus and Gender, and the sole author of Ours and My Last Name. Eric and his wife, Jenny, live in Iowa with their five children.
Review :
"In reading biblical theologies, I regularly have “aha!” moments as bits of Bible come together into a coherent whole. That happened for me again and again as I read The Good Gift of Weakness. This book helped me to see the good purpose God has had since the very beginning in making us creatures of weakness and dependence. In fact, weakness will not be eradicated in the New Creation! We will always need what only God provides. This book will fill you with wonder that Jesus became weak, and it will encourage you in the weak places of your life as you see that Jesus doesn’t despise weakness. Indeed, he is drawn to it."
—Nancy Guthrie, author and Bible teacher
"Eric Schumacher takes us on a tour of the entire Bible as he explores the theme of weakness. We see that weakness is a pervasive theme in Scripture, imprinting on us that without Christ we can do nothing. We need the sovereign work of God the Father through the atoning work of Christ the Son and the applicatory work of the Holy Spirit every day. Schumacher communicates this truth both biblically and personally. I am grateful for the biblical faithfulness and the honest vulnerability that characterize this wonderful book. When we are weak, then we are strong in the Lord."
—Thomas R. Schreiner, author, associate dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Nothing feels more shameful in our culture than weakness, so we hide it and pretend we are strong. Eric Schumacher, with the insight of a trusted scholar and the grace of a trusted friend, deconstructs that self-defeating shame. This book points us to the Christ whose glory shines through our vulnerability."
—Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today
"Weak is not a word I like to use to describe myself. I want to be seen as strong, invincible, steadfast. Yet every day I encounter my weakness and frailty—body, mind, spirit, and soul. In The Good Gift of Weakness, Eric Schumacher poignantly lays out a biblical theology of weakness, highlighting the hope and help we have in Jesus. Compelling, convicting, and comforting, this book will guide your weak and weary soul toward the true, persevering strength found only in Jesus Christ."
—Gretchen Saffles, bestselling author of The Well-Watered Woman
"Eric shares vulnerably and wisely about his own experiences with weakness in a way that gives us a new framework that makes weakness feel like a strength. With refreshing honesty and a good dose of humor, Eric’s words both remind us we’re not alone and stir our affection for God and his design."
—Laura Wifler, author, podcaster, and cofounder of Risen Motherhood
"I would expect any book written by my friend Eric to be filled with deep wisdom and biblical clarity. What I didn’t expect was the depth of his own weakness that Eric has transparently put on display for us. We need more men who have the strength not only to preach about Christian weakness, but who are willing to say, “That’s me! I’m weak! And it’s God’s good gift to me that I am.” It’s my privilege to recommend his work to you."
—Elyse Fitzpatrick, author and counselor
"We are tempted to assume that God primarily works in the world by using the biggest, brightest, and best. However, the Bible tells a different story. It’s an upside-down, counterintuitive story. God loves to employ the lost, little, and least to accomplish his purposes and to display his glory. In The Good Gift of Weakness, Eric explores the implications of the dazzling reality that God’s power is made perfect in weakness."
—Justin S. Holcomb, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, author, and seminary professor
"Reading Eric Schumacher’s book, The Good Gift of Weakness, was a paradigm shift for me. It challenges everything most Christians think about, well, everything. It is thoroughly biblical, surprisingly comprehensive, and amazingly authentic. If you’re looking for a book that will impact your life with freedom, joy, and grace, this is it. I rise up and call Eric Schumacher blessed for having written this book."
—Steve Brown, author, professor, and radio broadcaster
Culture strives to convince us to hide our weaknesses, yet God’s power is manifested precisely in the midst of our weaknesses because it’s then that we lean on his power—the only thing that truly makes a difference. I am so grateful for the work of Eric Schumacher to trace for us throughout Scripture how God has always operated by this mysterious truth. This is a secret the world does not know and the church needs to wake up to. I pray the Lord uses this book to make us all the more aware of our weakness and dependence on Him.
—Ashfin Ziafat, lead pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, Texas
In a world where strength is heralded, might is leveraged, and power is desired, Eric gives us a sobering and yet liberating reminder that it’s not our talent or ingenuity but rather our shortcomings that God uses the most. This book will have every reader filled with hope that even the worst parts of them can be redeemed.
—Davey Blackburn, author and founder of Nothing is Wasted
Scripture emphasizes weakness as a path for living a life pleasing to Jesus, yet few works have been given wholly to the significance of this trait. Schumacher fills this gap with a beginning-level biblical theology of weakness—a look across the canon at how weakness is an integral part of the plan of redemption. It is part of the story of God and his followers even in Israel’s worship and wisdom literature. The Good Gift of Weakness invites us to embrace weakness as obedience to the gospel and a path to great joy.
—Eric C. Redmond, Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute
In a culture filled with filters and false perfection, this book is much needed. Eric does a beautiful job of pointing us back to our true source of strength: Christ, and Christ alone.
—Jerrad Lopes, author and founder of Dad Tired
One of the most common commands in the Bible is to remember—because we have really short memories and small perspectives. In The Good Gift of Weakness, Eric helps us remember God’s patterns and priorities throughout Scripture. Weakness is strength in God's economy. It’s not that God excels at making up for it; it’s that he uses and values it at every turn. In this book, God's truth is revealed as right side up while our natural human instincts and cultural values are shown to be upside down. The Good Gift of Weakness is deeply encouraging, especially for those of us who have come to the end of our strength, cleverness, or goodness.
—Barnabas Piper, pastor and author
In a world that focuses on strength and accomplishment, The Good Gift of Weakness is a great reminder that weakness is a gift that draws us to God. Eric takes us on a masterful tour of Scripture, showing us that from Genesis to Revelation, God has always worked most powerfully through human frailty and failings. So if you feel empty or inadequate, take heart knowing that God does wondrous things through us when we are fully dependent on Him!
—Vaneetha Risner, author of Desperate for Hope and Walking Through Fire
Over the last five years, life has changed for my husband and I in excruciating ways—unjust deportation of family members, death in the family, crumbling health, crippling medical debt, loss of longtime friends, you name it. I've had to back out of public ministry and financial opportunities year after year. I've despised my chronic illness, pain, and fatigue, and felt like a failure in many ways. This is why Eric's words bring me so much comfort and hope. He helps us understand the good gift of weakness—in God's original design, throughout redemptive history, and in the (still) nail-pierced hands of our risen Savior. I think this book should be read by every Christian.
—Quina Aragon, author of Love Has a Story
Thoughtful, thorough, and consistently gospel-centered, this book presents a Scripture-saturated survey of weakness in its various forms and challenges the way we think about our natural limitations and inevitable shortcomings as believers. The profound biblical wisdom I gleaned from Eric in this helpful resource will surely influence not only my writing and counseling ministry but also the way I personally engage my own weaknesses: with courage and hope in Christ.
—Christine M. Chappell, author of Midnight Mercies, biblical counselor, and host of the Hope + Help podcast
More often than not, weakness doesn't feel like a gift. Our insufficiencies provide numerous opportunities for denial, guilt, and frustration. But through an extensive look at the topic of weakness across the redemptive storyline, Eric Schumacher shows us the importance of its place in God's plan. I left this book humbled, comforted, and deeply grateful for God's perfect strength.
—Emily A. Jensen, author of He is Strong
The Good Gift of Weakness highlights the beauty of God’s redemption: His kindness in using the things we thought unusable to bless others and ourselves. This book will encourage you to see weakness not as a liability but as a way to glimpse the glory of God.
—Phylicia Masonheimer, founder and CEO of Every Woman a Theologian
One of the most freeing truths of the Christian life is that it is okay to be weak. Many people, even Christians, don’t embrace this truth that sets us free. I am thankful for this book that reminds us to embrace our weakness as God’s plan for us. It is rich with biblical theology and practical application, but it is also written with a pastoral sensitivity that makes it accessible to anyone. I recommend every pastor read this book. The church needs more pastors willing to boast in their weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on them and flow from their ministries.
—Brian Croft, founder and executive director of Practical Shepherding
