“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Have you ever asked God to remove a struggle or problem in your life?
What happened?
That’s exactly what Paul is writing about 2 Corinthians 12:9. He had a problem and he asked God to take it away.
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-8
God’s answer, “My grace is sufficient for you,” may seem harsh to us. It may have felt like a gut-punch to Paul. Here he was pleading with God and God says no.
We Aren’t God
What we have to realize, though, is that God knows more than us and is wiser than we are. We know that what we are dealing with is difficult and hurts. We think,
“Surely, taking away this thing that makes me feel so terrible must be good.”
What if it isn’t? What if taking that struggle away from you will result in much worse happening? What if it would result in you becoming more distant from God or even falling away?
My kids don’t like getting vaccination shots. They hurt and my children can’t “see” what would happen to them if they got one of the diseases the vaccines will help prevent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I don’t want to get a shot!” or “Please don’t make me go to the doctor!”
Yet, I do make them go and get the shots. It’s not because I don’t care or dislike them. Quite the contrary. It’s because I love my children. I love them enough to let them suffer when that suffering is for their good.
God is good and God loves you.
Much more than I love my children, God loves you. Much wiser than I may be to get my kids vaccinated, God’s wisdom works in your life, but it’s a hard truth to hear.
God loves you enough to allow you to suffer.
God doesn’t just not answer Paul or even give the simple answer, “No.” He tells Him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This is important. He is showing Paul that He did, indeed, hear Paul’s prayer and He is answering. He also explains that what Paul is going through is ultimately for good.
Suffering to Joy
God doesn’t always answer us with a “yes,” but He always hears our prayers and He always answers. The answer may be “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” but there is always an answer and that answer is always good and perfect. When we realize God is working for good even in our suffering, our suffering can bring joy.
We can say along with Paul,
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Heavenly Father,
There are things in my life I would rather not have to endure right now. I ask You to remove them. However, I trust that You are good, You are wise, and You love me. So, I say, “Thank you,” no matter what Your answer. If Your answer is “no” or “wait,” give me the patience and strength to endure and help me to trust You that this is best, even the point of grateful and joyous for your work in my suffering.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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