Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8 – 10

I read Paul’s testimony often.  This morning I read it again and am blessed.  In writing to the believers in Corinth Paul tells of some experiences that he had with the Lord that are breathtaking – 14 years ago caught up to the heavens where he experienced mighty things.  Paul also, as a follower of Jesus, met opposition that was fierce.  The problem seems to have centered on Paul’s “thorn.”   He prayed three times to have it removed but that did not happen.  So, Paul was faced with the question – did Jesus who lifted him up to experience heavenlies is now unable or unwilling to take a “thorn” away from him?

Paul found his rest in embracing God’s marvelous grace, a grace that lifted him up, but which also supported him when abased.  Paul shares how the Lord helped him in this conflict.  The grace that lifted him up high as the heavens is the same grace that empowers him in the valley where he is brought low.  I read, again, his testimony. He experienced God’s power in profound weakness.  This seems impossible to us but to Paul it was the resolution to the issue.

He ended by praising God for his weaknesses, because it was in weakness that he experienced the mighty power of Jesus.

He is completely honest when he writes, that is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In my heart of hearts I know this.  Lord, help me to forgive, love and grant grace to all.