Victory Through WeaknessSample

God’s Grace in Our Weakness

Our culture uses various maxims to justify the role of weakness and pain in our lives: “No pain, no gain”; “Pain is weakness leaving the body”; “What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.” Many of these modern proverbs are used to highlight the ultimate prize of becoming stronger. The culture we live in prizes individual strength, independence, and achievement. But Paul promoted a counter-intuitive perspective by boasting in his weaknesses. Could it be possible that what you consider to be your greatest difficulty is actually a demonstration of God’s grace in your life?

Paul was an expert in the field of suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul shares a laundry list of his trials that provides a glimpse into the extent of his affliction. He received thirty-nine lashes five times; was beaten with rods three times; was stoned; was stranded at sea and shipwrecked on three separate occasions; endured sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, and lack of clothing—all because he chose to follow Jesus Christ.

Paul had counted the cost, yet he still chose to follow Jesus. But there was one specific infirmity that plagued him most. He begged God to take it away three times. God had the power to remove it, but he had something bigger in mind.

Think about the thing that brings you the most pain and frustration in this life. If God were willing to remove it and take away your suffering, would you ask him to? Paul knew that God had the ability to remove it; he literally begged God to do so. But God said no. For Paul’s benefit and ours, God gave him an explanation: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

What could possibly have led Paul to boast about his weakness? He trusted in the goodness and wisdom of God’s bigger plan. Instead of becoming bitter, he chose to set his mind on the work of God in the midst of his suffering. As he adopted God’s perspective, Paul identified troubles as a platform from which to view the almighty power of God.

God offers us these same assurances. His abundant grace overpowers the weight of our weakness. This is the greater reason behind your suffering. Embrace your weakness, knowing that your biggest difficulty is actually an exhibition of God’s grace in your life.