How strong are you? Obviously, this question is relative and has many different facets. If we adhere to a fitness schedule we may consider ourselves to be physically healthy and strong. If we are a student of psychology or counseling we may consider ourselves to be emotionally strong. If we are active in a local church we may consider ourselves to be spiritually strong. We may consider ourselves to be strong in all three of these categories, but is our strength sufficient?
Human strength often deters us from trusting in Christ. We rely on our own strength, resources, and know-how. When this happens we assume that we can handle situations without help from God. As such, we are often guilty of dividing our lives into two categories: problems that we can handle on our own and problems that require God’s help. Certainly life gets hectic trying to decide when we need God’s help and when we don’t, but we convince ourselves that our way is better than God’s way.
The Apostle Paul was a strong-willed man. He was tenacious and courageous for the cause of Christ. The Bible teaches that Paul spent the first half of his life serving God in his own strength. He relied on his pedigree, education, know-how, and skills. But, once God got a hold of his life, Paul realized that he needed to rely on God’s strength and not his own.
In 2 Corinthians 12:7, we read that Paul was afflicted with a thorn in the flesh. The Bible doesn’t describe the thorn, which keeps us from comparing our “thorn” with Paul’s. The passage is not for us to compare our life to Paul’s life, but to humbly recognize that we are not as strong as we think we are. We are human beings with very real limitations.
Paul had performed miracles, even raising the dead; but he could not remove the thorn. The thorn ushered Paul into the understanding that he needed to depend on God. When he thought he was strong, he neglected to rely on God’s strength. Only in his weakness did he come to fully trust in God and learn of His sufficient grace.
God’s grace is sufficient for you as you care for an aging parent. God’s grace is sufficient for you as you grieve the loss of a loved one. God’s grace is sufficient for you when you battle unemployment and financial difficulty. God’s grace is sufficient when you fail to be the husband or wife you need to be. What’s most important is that we allow our weaknesses to drive us into the sufficient grace of God. For when we are weak He is strong! It begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Surrender your heart and life to Him today.
“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 am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10 NASB
By: Brett W. Marlowe