Know Thy Weaknesses

In the ancient Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the following famous aphorism “Know Thyself” (γνῶθι σεαυτόν) was inscribed.

Socrates reiterated this aphorism as “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”

Included in self-knowledge is the important skill of becoming aware of our own weaknesses.

Don’t we hate that interview question, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

The purpose of that question is to determine how self-aware the candidate is as well as what steps have been taken to address said weaknesses.

Even Superman has his weakness — Kryptonite.

If someone with superpowers has weaknesses, and can be surely taken down as a result of them, then we too must examine our weaknesses so that we might avoid succumbing to them.

In Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises, he counsels that the evil spirit can act like a military commander, examining every inch of a stronghold to determine the point of vulnerability — and use this weak spot as a point of attack.

The evil spirit knows us better than we know ourselves, and can capitalize on that. We must be vigilant and grow in awareness of what persons, places, and situations can be occasions for us to drown in anger, fear, frustration and rage, among other emotions that can lead to a downward spiral.

The Ignatian Examen is an excellent way to discern the moments in our day that are patterns of when or guard is down and we are prone to negativity. The Holy Spirit also knows us better than we know ourselves, and ensures that we can be delivered from evil (cf. Mt 6:13).

A very simple acronym is HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.

When we are experiencing any of these 4 (or more than one simultaneously), we can be prone to drifting away from joy and into sadness; away from love and into fear; away from peace and into turmoil. As the acronym suggests, we need to HALT when we are in the middle of these emotions and take the opportunity to pause and center ourselves.

But weaknesses are not simply the areas we need to get rid of. Rather, these are opportunities to experience God’s grace in our lives.

The Word of God revealed to Saint Paul that “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Our weaknesses remind us that we cannot depend solely on ourselves, but we need God and those whom God has entrusted to us. Weakness teaches us humility and gratitude, as well as to have compassion on others’ shortcomings. As we are in need, so too we can assist others in their needs.

Weaknesses can be an escalator to growth or a stairway to decline, depending on how we use them. When we become aware of our vulnerabilities, we are able to wield them into becoming a stronger, more loving person. But if we simply repeat patterns, we will be unable to grow and live our happiest, fullest lives.

Weakness doesn’t prevent growth. Rather, they can teach us how we must grow.

Thus, we are called to Know Ourselves, and especially gain self-awareness so that we might Know Our Weaknesses and be alert for when, where, and what might activate them.