Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, 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.

2 Corinthians 12: 7b-10

Have you ever had moments in life when you have felt frail, weak, or distressed?  Have you gone through a season so dark, you felt there was nowhere to turn?  The truth is all humans, no matter their occupation or station in life, go through seasons of struggle and difficulty.   It is when we are at our most vulnerable that we can draw on God’s strength.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7b, Paul admits that he was in torment due to a thorn in his flesh, which God used to keep him from becoming conceited.  He even pleaded three times for God to take away the difficulty, but God did not.  Instead God reminds Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).”

Are you currently struggling with a difficult situation?  Has it so overwhelmed you, that you feel you have nowhere to turn?  Do you feel as though you’ve sunk so low you cannot sink any further?  It’s time to cry out for his presence.  Let God enfold you in his strength.  Dare to boast in your weakness, so that God’s power may rest on you.  Yes, even through your heartache and tears, don’t ask God to take away the problem instead do the unexpected.  Recognize that God’s power is being perfected in you through this tribulation that you are undergoing.  As James reminds us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).”  And may the LORD’s empowering grace that sustained Paul in his torment, sustain you until you are completely emptied of self-sufficiency and bathed in Christ’s sufficiency; for when you are weak, he is strong.  Cling to his unbreakable promise and you will come out of this season victorious in Him through his empowering grace.

Heavenly Father, this is a difficult season, but I know that your grace is sufficient for me.  In my weakness, I ask for your empowering grace to flood my being.  Empty me of myself, until all that is left is your Spirit living in me.  I declare that I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)” Have your way in me Lord, make me what you want me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.