Great Waves often follow Significant Troughs

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

What are the 3 “heavens”?

1st heaven = the air & sky

2nd heaven = where the planets & stars are

3rd heaven = the unseen realm where God dwells

What do we know about Paul’s “thorn”?

1. God gave it to him to KEEP HIM HUMBLE.

2. It’s identified as a thorn IN THE FLESH.

3. It’s called a messenger OF SATAN.

4. It caused TORMENT.

5. He desperately WANTED IT GONE.

6. God promised SUFFICIENT GRACE to endure it.

7. Ultimately, Paul not only accepted the thorn, HE EMBRACED IT.

There's nothing wrong with asking God to take away your suffering; but just like with Paul, if God's answer is “no”, He has good reason.

God's grace is sufficient for your struggle. And His power is still made perfect in weakness.

Everybody’s “waves” and “troughs” are different, but God’s purposes remain: to deepen our faith and reveal His power in our weakness.

By keeping your eyes on Jesus, your trough will become a wave, and God’s power will be seen more clearly than if the trough had never happened.

When you REDUCE the trough, you may also SHRINK the wave.

Next Steps:

- Ask God: I there another way I should be looking at the trough I’m in?

- Ask myself: Would I rather experience peace and calm, or witness the power of God, even if it disrupts my world?

- Other: ____________________.