When life is going well for us, and we feel as if we have everything we need, it is easy to become dependent on our own strength. It is easy to feel as if we are in control and taking care of ourselves. It is only when we face disappointments, discouragements, and heartaches that we come to realize that we were never in control after all and that we cannot do anything on our own. In our moments of weakness, we are reminded to turn to Christ and let His power be displayed.
The apostle Paul understood a need for dependence on God. In 2 Corinthians 12, he talked about an unnamed struggle he faced and how he found comfort in his weaknesses. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, “I will boast only about my weaknesses” (verse 5). He explained that he had experienced “wonderful revelations from God” that might tempt him to be proud (verse 7). He continued, saying, “So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud” (verse 7). We do not know what Paul’s struggle was, but we do know that it made Him feel weak. Paul writes in this passage of Scripture that he begged God to take away his struggle three times (verse 8). Every time Paul asked God to take away the struggle he constantly faced, God said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (verse 9). God revealed to Paul that in his weakness, His power would be on display. Because of this revelation, Paul concluded his thoughts on his “thorn” that he struggled with by saying, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (verses 9-10). Paul knew that through his weaknesses and hardships, God’s power was on full display.
What was true for Paul is also true for each one of us. In our weaknesses, through our struggles, in our disappointments and unmet expectations, God's power is made known. Therefore, may you, like Paul, “boast about [your] weaknesses” and see God’s power on display through them.
What weakness, whether it is a hardship or trial you are facing or an unmet expectation, are you currently facing? Take some time now to look for the ways God's power has been on display through your weakness. Set a three-minute timer and make a list of how you have seen God's power on display through that weakness. When you are finished, write out a prayer to God, praising Him for His great power that works in every single one of our weaknesses.
1This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. 12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. 15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.
19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
