By His Grace

No one likes to go through great pain or heartache. If you were to ask a group of young people what their dreams and goals were, not one of them would hope for great struggle, physical infirmities, relationship trouble, or financial hardship. The reality of life is that these trials can and will come. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, we read that Paul gives us God's answer to his prayer. "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."

For context, the previous verse tells us what Paul was praying for. Paul has asked God three times to relieve him from a thorn in the flesh. The Bible is not clear on exactly what this thorn was. Honestly, it does not matter. The emphasis in this passage is not on the thorn but instead on the sufficiency of God's grace. Paul says that God's grace is sufficient. In other words, God's grace is enough. He is enough.

In verse ten, I'm amazed at what Paul says. "Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities…" God's grace was so sufficient to Paul that he didn't just get by or live with the issues. He took pleasure in them. Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." For the last year, this verse has been my "season verse." Many have a life verse, but I have had many. Often, God helps me through a season or period of my life with a specific verse or passage of Scripture.

The theme of Philippians 2:13 should be the theme of each Christian. We are to do his good pleasure. As I walk with him, His walk becomes my walk. His will becomes my will. "His good pleasure" becomes my goal. Pleasure means delight or desire. Psalm 37:4 'Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." If I delight in the Lord, He aligns my desires with His desires. When I follow through with those desires, it brings Him great pleasure!

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul found pleasure in his thorn because he delighted in God's Will. The thorn was painful, harmful, and uncomfortable, I'm sure, for the remainder of his life. God's grace was sufficient. Christ was enough. Friend, I do not know what you are going through. I know that by His grace, you can have glory in your infirmity. Whatever it is troubling or trying for you, I hope you take comfort today, knowing that His grace is sufficient for you. By His grace, you can take pleasure in your infirmity!