Empowering Grace

Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NASB20

In the hustle and bustle of life, there is a need for strength. In order to get through life’s challenges and trials, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength are what carry us through and help us find resilience, perseverance, and endurance. But, how can you be strong all the time? What do you do when your strength is growing weary?

The reality is you cannot be strong all the time, at least not on your own. On your own, you grow weary and exhausted. Because trials and challenges seem to be constant, or minimally a situation, with life being paradoxical choosing joy and working through the ills.

This was Paul’s plight. He had received wonder revelations from God about life and how to help people; yet, he had a constant thorn in the flesh. While some say it was sickness, the passage says the thorn was, “a messenger of Satan to torment him” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

We all deal with a messenger of Satan to torment us that tell us we are not who God says we are! It’s the negative talk you hear, “You’re so stupid!”, “How could you do such a crazy thing!”, “You’ll never be anything.” , “You’ll always suffer.” and the list goes on…

Whatever the message is you hear, you want it to stop, right? You want a break from the noise, trials, challenges, and accusations. You’re not alone, so do we all, including the Apostle Paul. He prayed and prayed, and prayed for God to take it away. He just wanted rest! Have you ever done that?

Christ did not.

But He answered.

He taught him about the grace he already possessed.

The key to contentment and ultimately success in life is knowing when to lean on Christ. His grace working through us encourages and empowers us to do what we cannot do on our own. His power is perfected in us when we are at our weakest.

Have you ever felt like you cannot go another step, then, you can? That’s God’s grace being perfected in you.

So, be intentional like Paul. When you know you are weak or weary boldly lean on God’s grace. Take a Sabbath rest, pray, then act, knowing that God cares for you and He is at work in you to do His will and good pleasure.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me by your amazing grace! I give you all I have and all I am. I give you my cares, my worries, and my anxieties. I trust you. Help me know that I am strong in You when I am weak. Teach me how to rest in the midst of storms and be content in everything. When I wait on You, you renew my strength so that I can run and not be weary and walk and not faint. You have not given me a spirit of fear but of love power and a sound mind. By Your grace, Father, I choose to rest in You and the power of Your power upon my life for today and all eternity. Through Christ, I believe. Amen