II Cor. 12:7-8 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
We don't know what this thorn in the flesh was for Paul, but we all know what thorns in the flesh look like for us. We know what pain and suffering look like. We know what it feels like to want something so bad and seemingly never get it.
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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
"My grace is sufficient for you." In the face of trial we are to look beyond it into the glorious mercies that abound in our lives. Look to the cross. Look to eternity. If you are in Christ his grace is abundant and truly has been lavished on you.
"My power is made perfect in weakness." Christ truly wants to show His might and power through us. The word perfect here contains the idea of completeness. Christ's plan is to mold us and shape us into his image. We are weak, we sin, we need his power. We will never be what Christ wants us to be until we fail and are content in our weakness. Content enough in our own weakness to run to Christ.
For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul said that, can you?
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