My Grace is Sufficient

Scripture:  II Corinthians 12:7-10 -  And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The Greek word for “thorn” refers to something that causes irritation and/or torment.  It doesn’t kill you, but it causes pain/frustration.  It involves anything that causes continual or from time-to-time exasperation.  A person in your life is not actually a thorn.  He/she is a vehicle through which God uses/allows the thorn to come that causes irritation for an intended spiritual purpose.

The Bible does not tell us what Paul’s thorn was that he experienced.  There are all kinds of thorns that we may experience in our lives:  physical, mental, spiritual, relational, financial and emotional.  A note from the Tony Evans Study Bible says that the ultimate source of the thorn is God, but Satan served as the delivery system.  (II Corinthians 12:7)  The Lord wants us to grow as we walk with Him in this life.  When we deal with thorns the right way, we will definitely grow.  Ouch!  We will know that we have a thorn in our lives when it keeps nagging at us and won't go away.  (II Corinthians 12:8)  As we recognize that God is using our thorns to help us, maybe we won’t be as frustrated or want to get rid of them.  Perhaps we will be more prayerful.  Our attitude should be “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this trial/thorn?
Thorns may be allowed to address sin in our lives or because of something in our lives that we are tempted by – something we won’t get rid of without a thorn.  Thorns may be allowed so that we won’t continue to be exalted/be prideful – to humble us.  (II Corinthians 12:7)  The Lord wants us to be consistently dependent on Him.  Sometimes when we don’t have thorns, we forget our need for God.

The good news is that if the thorn doesn’t go away, the Lord will give us sufficient grace to endure or bear up under the thorn by His grace!!! (II Corinthians 12:9-10)  Paul accepted his thorn.  He realized in his weakness, his true strength was revealed (through Christ who gave him strength).

When you allow the Lord to carry you through whatever thorn/storm you are presently facing, people will see that God is still good!  Does your whole life prove that God is good?  Let the words of this song, minister to you:
May your struggles keep you near the cross.
May your troubles show that you need God.
May your battles end the way they should.
May your bad days prove that God is good.
May your whole life prove that God is good.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for dying on the cross for my sin.  Thank You for promising that You will never leave nor forsake me.  Thorns that You have allowed in my life are painful, frustrating, and irritating; but thank You for carrying me through them. Your grace is truly sufficient for me. All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)