Are there areas in your life you have begged God for relief? Paul begged the Lord three times to take away what was causing him to struggle deeply. We aren’t told exactly what it was. It could have been a physical or emotional weakness. However, it was causing severe physical or mental suffering. Paul referred to it as a messenger of Satan to torment him. Can you relate to being in a season of life in which you feel so tormented that it's hard to find pleasure in what usually brings you joy?
In light of Paul’s suffering, Jesus’ answer to his plea is not initially comforting. However, when Paul realized the implications, his outlook on what was tormenting him changed so much he was ready to boast gladly about his weaknesses. He chose to find pleasure in them because he knew it meant that Christ’s power would “rest in him” — in other words, that it would dwell in his soul. Paul wanted Jesus’ power.
Paul accepted his current reality, including the suffering, and he stopped begging for relief. He took all the grace that Jesus would give him. Paul said in verse 10 that, “for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Jesus says His grace is sufficient – no matter what you are going through physically or mentally. You can delight in your weakness. For when you are weak, then He is strong. Are you relying on Jesus’ all sufficient grace to get you through your suffering?
Lord, thank you that your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank you for the grace to persevere in my current reality. Help me to gladly accept all the grace that you want to give to me. May your power rest upon me for Jesus’ sake! Amen.
Go Deeper ― Read and pray through 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 and ponder Paul’s commitment to boast only about his weaknesses. Ask the LORD to change your posture and heart toward your own weaknesses. What is the LORD saying to you? In what areas do you need to ask for His sufficient grace?
Photo Credit: Mi Pham