The Apostle Paul had a problem. We don’t know exactly what it was – just how it felt: “a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Cor. 12:7). When he wrote this, Paul was nearing the end of his third missionary journey after a wildly successful decade of ministry. The good news about Jesus that he proclaimed – whether in-person or by his prolific letter writing – was changing lives in the most unlikely places. Churches made up of Jews and Gentiles had been planted all over the Roman Empire. This incredible servant of Christ had an impressive pedigree, unmatched work ethic, willingly endured suffering, and had even seen paradise – though he wasn’t entirely sure if it was in the body or a vision (cf. 2 Cor. 11:16-12:7).
Despite all of that, Paul – who had healed the sick, cast out demons, and even raised the dead for others – could do nothing about his own thorn. “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me” (2 Cor. 12:8). And still it remained. All that Paul was doing in the Lord’s service and all the other ways he willingly suffered did not give him a pass from this hardship. It did, however, give him an opportunity – an opportunity to experience real power.
Because while the thorn was not removed, the Lord did reply to Paul’s pleadings: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Jesus suffered in this sinful world: we as His followers can expect no less (cf. 2 Tim. 3:12). Yet while suffering is inevitable, Christians can uniquely experience God’s grace through it. No matter what pain we have or problems we face, Jesus is enough. He is with us. He will provide for us. It is often in those most difficult times that we grow closest to Him. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” Paul concluded. “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” (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
That is our opportunity. Your painful family situation, workplace issue, or health concern may not change anytime soon – but that doesn’t mean God has ignored your pleadings. It means Christ is going to give you the power to keep going. You don’t wake up each morning because life is grand – it’s not – or give your best each day because it’s easy – it isn’t. Yet in your weakness, God supplies a power source even greater than if all was fine and dandy: you rely fully on Christ. And no matter what situation you are facing, being with Jesus is always the best place to be.
God wants to strengthen us. Let’s get to work with “Stronger”.