His power is made perfect in our weakness.

2nd Corinthians Ch2

I recently heard a sermon on 2nd Corinthians, where Paul talks about the “thorn in his flesh.” We are never told what this thorn was, but we are made aware that this thing was a difficulty for Paul. We read that Paul even acknowledges where this thorn came from —Satan himself.

Many times the story ends there.

But when you keep reading, you see how Christ uses our weaknesses for His glory!

Paul pleads with God to take this thorn out of his side. And what does God say back?

No.

Wow. God tells Paul no, that he will not remove this tormenting thing from Paul’s life. Even after all Paul “had done” for God. You would think if anyone deserved healing from something it would be Paul. I mean he basically wrote half of the New Testament!

I think so often in our Westernized Christianity world, we grow up to believe that we deserve good things.

Work hard play hard. God gives us the desires (insert fleshly desire here) of our heart. You reap what you sow. Karma.

You get my point.

But here, in 2nd Corinthians, does Paul get “the desire of his heart” to have this thorn removed from him? No.

God tells his servant, his messenger, No.

Has God ever told you no? It doesn’t feel good, does it?

The fact is, we aren’t “rewarded” in life based on our merit or our good deeds. Or heck, even how much we “do” for the Kingdom.

God does not owe you or I anything.

As I sit here typing this, I am battling a massive headache from a low red blood count. I am facing a transfusion tomorrow, and more chemotherapy in the days to come. This, this is a hardship. This is traumatic.

This cancer diagnosis, has been a giant thorn in my side and in every part of me.

But let’s keep reading.

After God tells Paul no, He tells him that His power is make perfect in his weakness.

You see, God gave Paul the strength that he needed to not let this thorn overcome him.

When we are weak, he IS strong.

And I have seen this firsthand in my life. God hasn’t pulled out this thorn from me just yet, but all the while He has sustained me.

He has carried me and given me the grace and strength I need for each day. Not for tomorrow or next week, but each day.

Paul continues to write that he is happy to go through hard times, because it is then when God’s strength gets to shine through.

While I am not happy going through this nightmare, I do know the one who has kept me strong.

Do you?

To my friends who are trying to get pregnant and haven’t yet—God’s power is make perfect in your weakness.

To my friends who were given a grim diagnosis —- God’s power is make perfect in your sorrow.

To my friends who lost their job and don’t understand why God let this happen—let His strength be made perfect in your weakness.

His strength is made perfect in your weakness, whatever that may be.

Come to him, and he will give you rest.

We are never promised for our thorns to be removed, but we are promised that He will be all that we need.

What is your thorn today?

Anxiety?

Grief?

Depression?

Addiction?

Gluttony?

Lust?

Fear?

Self-hate?

Allow God to touch your heart and be your strength. It is not too much for Him.

His strength is made perfect in your weakness.