The Infirmities Of The Believer

From The Christian Reader:

The Infirmities of the Believer


“This is my infirmity.” (Psalm 77:10)







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The infirmities of the believer are as varied as they are numerous. Some are weak in faith, and are always questioning their interest in Christ. Some, superficial in knowledge, and shallow in experience, are ever exposed to the crudities of error and to the assaults of temptation. Some are slow travelers in the divine life, and are always in the rear; while yet others are often ready to halt altogether. Then there are others who groan beneath the burden of bodily infirmity, exerting a morbid influence upon their spiritual experience.



A nervous temperament; a state of perpetual depression and despondency; the constant corrodings of mental disquietude; physical ailment; imaginary forebodings; a facile yielding to temptation; petulance of spirit; unguardedness of speech; gloomy interpretations of providence; an eye that only views the dark hues of the cloud, the somber shadings of the picture. Ah! from this dismal catalogue how many, making their selection, may exclaim, “This is my infirmity.” But be that infirmity what it may, let it endear to our hearts the grace and sympathy of Him who for our sake was encompassed with infirmity, that He might have compassion upon those who are alike begirt. All the fulness of grace that is in Jesus is for that single infirmity over which you sigh.



by Octavius Winslow, from Morning Thoughts