In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul shares a profound experience that has deeply resonated with believers throughout the centuries. He speaks of a “thorn in the flesh,” a persistent struggle that he repeatedly asked the Lord to remove. The exact nature of this thorn remains uncertain—some suggest it could have been psychological struggles, opposition from others, demonic harassment, or, most commonly, a physical affliction. Yet, regardless of what this thorn was, the Lord’s response to Paul stands out: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
This remarkable response from the Lord highlights a critical truth for every believer: God’s grace is always available and more than enough, no matter how challenging our circumstances. Paul’s realization that God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses turns our understanding of suffering on its head. Instead of being a hindrance, our weaknesses become opportunities for God’s power to be displayed through us. This is echoed in Romans 8:31-39, where we are reminded that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.
The power of this truth was brought home to me in a conversation I had with a close friend who has been battling an aggressive form of cancer for the past two years. Despite enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy and the overwhelming challenges that come with such a diagnosis, he shared something profound with me. He said, and I summarize, “It is God’s grace that I have most cherished during this time.” Rather than merely focusing on the pain or the uncertainty, my friend recounted story after story of how the Lord has used his physical weakness—his cancer—to share the love and message of Christ with others.
As my friend spoke, it was clear that, like Paul, he had come to see his weakness as an avenue for God’s grace to shine through. He told me, “I wouldn’t wish this on myself or anyone else, but I have learned so much about God and myself through this struggle. I’ve been used by Him in ways I never would have been if I weren’t going through this.” His words struck a deep chord, reminding me of the sufficiency of God’s grace in the most trying times.
My friend’s story is a living testimony to the truth that Paul experienced: God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. While he, his family, and friends continue to pray for his healing, it has been remarkable to witness how God has sustained him physically. Yet, the work God is doing in and through him is so rich and a testimony to God’s abundantly sufficient grace.
Like Paul’s, this testimony serves as a powerful reminder that God’s grace is sufficient for us. In our moments of greatest weakness, His strength is most evident. As we face our own thorns in the flesh—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—may we trust in the sufficiency of God’s ever-available grace. And may we, like Paul and my friend, find that God is more than enough.
The struggles we endure are not for nothing. They serve a greater purpose that we may not fully understand but can trust is for our good, God’s glory, and the benefit of others. Our weaknesses, far from being liabilities, are places where God’s power can be most clearly seen. As we navigate the trials of life, may we be encouraged by the truth that God’s grace is sufficient, that His power is perfected in our weakness, and that through Him, we are more than conquerors. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!