- 2 Corinthians 12:7 - And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
- 2 Corinthians 12:8 - For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
- 2 Corinthians 11:24 - Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 - Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
- 2 Corinthians 11:26 - In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
- 2 Corinthians 11:27 - In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
- 2 Corinthians 11:28 - Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Do not give up when difficulties come. While we see only the pain, God sees the whole picture. “I thought the Christian life would be easier.” Perhaps you have asked yourself this question. Sometimes, when we come into the presence of our heavenly Father, we think that He will solve all our problems and ensure our happiness. However, we often encounter a different picture in the Scriptures. For example, the apostle Paul was a man whom the Lord used in great works, but his life was by no means easy.
One time, Paul decided that his suffering was unbearable and begged God to deliver him from it. There is nothing wrong with asking the Lord to lighten our sufferings. But what should we do when He chooses not to? The promise that God gave to Paul applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God's grace is the help and provision He gives us in the midst of difficulties. While we see only the pain, He sees the whole picture. His purposes for our lives include our spiritual growth, the formation of our character to be like Christ, and the strengthening of our faith even under pressure. Although this is hard to accept, trials play an important role in shaping these qualities in our lives. When we trust Christ in the midst of difficulties, every trial turns into an opportunity for Him to show His character and power. He can do this both in our lives and through us to others.
Reflection
How can you trust in God's words 'My grace is sufficient for you' in the difficulties you are facing right now?
