Power in Our Weakness

What is your reaction to Jesus saying His grace is sufficient for you and that His power is made perfect in your weakness? Do you let Him have the control He needs? How does He help you?

“…or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] 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.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIV)

Reflection

Most of the New Testament is attributed to Paul. As a reminder, this is the same former Jewish leader who once arrested and had killed the very people he later worked to transform. A very strong-willed, driven, and determined person.

In this letter to the church in Corinth, Paul seems to be humbling himself, reminding people that it’s not about him. He has grown, matured, and gained a deeper understanding of his calling. He wants them to see that the real power comes when we allow God to work in our weaknesses.

Paul also reveals, in a deeply personal way, that Satan is still at work in his life. He acknowledges that God has given him a “thorn in the flesh”—a burden he has pleaded to be removed, yet God allows it to remain. Paul must live with this struggle, and that’s worth reflecting on.

Burdens

What was his burden? Before his encounter with Jesus, he was a proud persecutor of Christians. He was good at it. He handled difficult situations without hesitation. Scripture even tells us he stood by as Stephen was stoned to death, holding the coats of those who carried it out. He was there. He didn’t stop it—he likely encouraged it.

But Paul, like us, had an encounter with Jesus. The timing and circumstances may be different for each of us, but when we truly experience Jesus, we are changed. If we appreciate that moment, we pivot.

For Paul, that encounter knocked him off his horse, blinded him, and left him with a thorn in his side. God allowed him to see again, but that thorn remained—a lasting reminder that he needed that moment with Jesus.

So, what’s your thorn? What reminds you of the times you’ve been knocked down? Have you had that moment?

For me, my thorns are the times I walked away from God’s truth—when my own choices led me down roads with real consequences. Even when I turned my back on Him, God was there. He let me travel that road for as long as I needed, waiting patiently.

Celebrating Weakness

Paul talks about celebrating weakness. That’s not easy to do. Who wants to publicly acknowledge their failures? Who wants to admit the ways they’ve hurt others? We all have moments—or even seasons—when we weren’t at our best.

But those of us who are fortunate enough to get deeply connected to God and see His hand in our lives can actually say, “Thanks for that beating”—though maybe not, “May I have another?” From experience, I can tell you: obedience, trust, and surrender are truly the way to go.

So what is this power in our weakness? It’s a full appreciation of just how awesome God is. The realization that there is a Father in heaven who loves us beyond our mistakes, beyond our failures. A God who knows everything we’ve done, everything we haven’t done, and everything that has been done to us—yet still loves us, from the day He created us, and longs for us to find our way home.

Once you connect the dots and realize that life is not about you, but about serving His purpose, you break free from everything that holds you back.

Yes, Satan will always be there, rooting against you, trying to distract you so you don’t connect with God. But once you root your life in the Father, follow the Son, and connect through the Holy Spirit—let’s just say, the power Jesus told Paul about is truly something to experience.

Give it a go. You won’t regret it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You do for me. Thank You for being with me and loving me no matter what. Thank You for Paul, his writings, and the example he gave us. His story reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect for You to guide us and love us. Father, please help us appreciate the hard times and reinforce our trust and surrender to You. We know we are on a journey home, and we want to make the most of what You allow for us. Please keep us, our families, and our friends safe. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.