2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)

7Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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. 10That 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.

Reflection:

When do we feel strong or able? Maybe when we are training for an athletic event and track our progress. Every week we might be encouraged by how we improve. Or maybe when we have really worked hard in a class and when we look over the final exam we are pretty sure we will do well. How long would we have to train or study until we feel this kind of power is perfect? We often associate our power with our ability to do something and our achievements. God flips this on its head when he reveals to Paul that His power is perfected in Paul’s weakness. Suffering can be a means for us to recognize our total dependence on Christ. It is then in weakness rather than aptitude and achievements that Paul experiences strength.

Responding to the Transmission:

Our power comes from God. This can become very concrete as we go through hard times. May struggles and difficulties lead to this kind of dependence on the Lord. As we pray today, may we know that Christ’s grace is sufficient rather than our abilities to handle the situation. Then like Paul, we can actually rejoice in our suffering and weakness.