God's Grace is Sufficient for Me

A few months ago I experienced one of those tough days.

That evening, a dear friend shared a portion of the following verse with me:

"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." II Corinthians 12:9

Often we say "His grace is sufficient," as a way to bolster one another when faced with difficult circumstances. Over the last few days I've meditated on this portion of Scripture, allowing it to sink into my heart.

I'm a rather emotional creature. I've been that way all my life. Often I bemoan the fact that these crazy emotions seem to control me, rather than me control them.

I'm also a very passionate person, throwing my all into whatever stirs my passion.

I also love the Lord, and desire to love Him with all of my life, every minute, every bit of energy, every breath, every deed.

When you add these aspects of my character together you get a person who can emote under stress, refusing to give up and remaining willing to die for the cause of Christ. Okay, so I've never faced actual physical death for the cause of Christ. Still, death can come in many forms. But I digress.

The Apostle Paul was an exceptional man chosen by God to do exceptional things. However, he wasn't without a weakness or two.

"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." II Corinthians 12:7

I've read and heard many diverse ideas on what this thorn in the flesh was. Personally, I'm quite glad Paul didn't tell us what it was...I think with it open ended we can more easily apply the principle of the message to our own personal situation.

We do know a few things about this thorn in the flesh.

• It was allowed in order to keep Paul humble
• It was a messenger of Satan
• It was to buffet (to maltreat or treat with violence and insults) Paul
• It brought out a weakness, whether by producing it or shedding light on it

In context, I think we can surmise that it had something to do with how Paul suffered for Christ:

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." II Corinthians 12:10

Paul was a great man of God, and with the exception of Jesus Christ, perhaps the greatest teacher of Truth. God inspired him to write many letters that now make up a large portion of the New Testament. Even so, he was still a man. Pride was still an issue. God, it seems, needed to help him see that he was indeed weak.

I look at Job. We get to see the actual interview between Satan and God in Job 1-2. Job suffered and didn't know why. Paul suffered, and because of the Holy Spirit, because of his personal connection with Christ, he was made to understand that there was a reason - one for his own benefit and one for Christ's. I think the same could be said for Job when you read the end of that book.

II Corinthian demonstrates a clear focus. Paul doesn't fear the infirmities, the reproaches, the necessities, the persecutions, the distresses because his all is given for Christ. Paul was a driven man, a passionate man. His entire life was dedicated to serving Christ. So when hardships came his way as a result of living 100% for the Lord he didn't collapse and bemoan the situation. Instead, he took pleasure in it. He enjoyed it. I think these situations where people opposed him or incurred hardship on him energized him. Why? Because of Christ.

Throughout my life I've had people try to tell me to stop. "You'll make yourself sick," they'll say. "You need to enjoy life," they say. "You'll not make enough money to live on," they say. But what they fail to understand is that I take joy in the battle...sometimes, admittedly, perhaps for not the right reason--but then too, God's grace is sufficient.

A year ago last January I went door-knocking with my girls. Generally when you have kids with you people are a little kinder when they reject your invitation to come to church. On this day, the first lady to greet us was antagonistic. I suppose her response should have made me quell at the idea of continuing, but I found it energized me. I was standing up for my Lord, and I would do it again. I wonder if this is what Paul spoke of when he said, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches".

The thorn in Paul's flesh was from Satan with the purpose of maltreating, perhaps through physical violence or perhaps through insult or perhaps both.

I've encountered people who, while believing they are helping me, actually hinder me in my walk. These people have a different worldview than I do. Their values are different. Their perspectives are different, and even when they claim to be Christian, their faith is different. Because of these differences, they work against me and not for me, as they like to think they are.

I love how God strengthens me when I meet such people.

I'm generally a prideful person, filled with insecurities, loving to have the praise of men, seeking to fulfill my personal wants and desires. So when a person confronts me or becomes contentious towards me and what I value, by nature I am deflated, hurt, and want to run to lick my wounds.

However, I've noticed that when God is the one in control during these confrontations, when the conflict is really against Him and not me, He strengthens me. He becomes the rod in my back, the breastplate and shield, the helmet and the belt, and He shod's my feet. He equips me with the Sword, which is the word of God. And I am able to stand. Indeed, His grace is sufficient for me.

This past year has been very difficult for a variety of reasons. I have felt the enemy surround me and launch his attack from all sides. But I can attest to the fact that God's grace is sufficient. With each difficult step I've had to take, I've found He gave me strength.

Sure, I've made mistakes along the way. I'm so thankful that I can go to Him, confess my sins and my failures, and find true forgiveness. What a beautiful relationship I have with my God because of what Christ did for me.

The battle isn't over. It won't be until God calls me home to be with Him. He has given me, however, what I need to live victoriously, and it is none of my doing but all of His.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places...Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked...Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:10-18

I'm thankful for my dear friend, who took the time to remind me that God's grace is sufficient. I'm not alone. His strength is made perfect in weakness, and therefore I can glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.