2 Corinthians 12: 1-10
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 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.
In the realm of personal improvement, individuals are often counseled to focus on their strengths. A person gets more benefit from improving a strength area. Areas of weakness usually remain weaknesses, no matter how much effort is put into them. In fact, focusing on weaknesses just makes you weaker.
St. Paul struggled with what he called a “thorn in the flesh.” We can only guess about what that “thorn” was. He writes clearly about how much he struggled with this weakness and begged God to remove it from him.
However, God didn’t remove the weakness, but instead, through that “thorn in the flesh” caused St. Paul to focus on his true strength, which was faith in God. This was so effective that St. Paul talked of boasting in his weakness, confessing “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Jesus in coming into the world took on the weakness of our human flesh. This reality was brought into sharp focus when He offered Himself on the cross for the life of the world. Through Jesus weakness, the power of sin, death, and devil are broken. Through faith in Jesus the power of God is for our salvation.
When you think of your true strength, you may think of various qualities or talents. But, your true strength is the same as St. Paul’s. It is your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And it is true also for you, that when you are weak, then your faith will shine the brightest and reveal that you are, through Christ, truly strong.
Let us pray
Thank you Lord for all that you do to sustain me throughout life. I especially praise you for your mighty deliverance from sin and all evil. Help me this day to remain strong in you. Sustain me in all trials and enable me to serve you faithfully. In your name I pray. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.