"Facing Challenges and Hardships" 2 Corinthians 12 - February 16, 2023

"Facing Challenges and Hardships" 2 Corinthians 12 - February 16, 2023 Read Here: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/2CO.12.NIV

. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, …Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Facing Adversity and Challenges – The apostle Paul was used by God in amazing, extraordinary ways. He started many churches, preached to the famous and the lowly, and made his way through all kinds of trials and tribulations, bringing glory to God every step of the way. Paul was a superhero of the faith.

And yet, in this text, he describes having a thorn in his flesh. There was something significant that held him back. We don’t know what that was. Many scholars contend that it was a physical ailment that he didn’t have to describe in detail because the Corinthians would have known immediately to what he was referring. Others say it was a psychological issue, like anxiety or depression, that plagued him, possibly due to the massive trauma he endured.

The truth is that we don’t know the specifics of Paul’s thorn. What we do know is that Paul had a serious obstacle to be overcome. Thus, he could not do things in his own strength; he had to totally and completely depend on God. Interestingly, what Paul expresses here is somewhat ironic. Yes, he begged God to take away this obstacle but that did not happen. Rather, what happened was that Jesus could be glorified because of Paul’s weaknesses. Paul actually brags about his weaknesses. Why? Because it shows that whatever amazing Kingdom wins happen in his ministry, they only occurred because of Christ within him.

On his own, he simply wasn’t capable of doing what he was called to do. He needed Jesus and Jesus shined through him. And the irony continues. If we know Jesus, if we allow Jesus to work through us, then we will be strong despite our weaknesses. His strength comes through. What is your thorn? The reality is that we all have some kind of thorn. Are we hiding it or are we allowing Jesus to work through it? When we are weak, He is strong. 

Let’s pray…Jesus, You are strong and we are weak. Work in us, Lord. May our lives, every single part of them, bring you glory. Amen..

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