Remember Paul’s ‘thorns in the flesh’? Is this how you feel? That you are stuck and are continually dealing with (fill in the blank) which has now reached the status of ‘thorn’? So… what are you going to do? What CAN you do. Backing up to Paul… what did HE do? God’s response to Paul’s lament (2Corinthians 12:7) was to remind him that “My grace is sufficient for you…”
What do you do with that phrase? Is God telling Paul (and by implication – you) that it is YOUR problem? Is God saying He’s done all He intends to do and now you are on your own? Obviously not. He never leaves us alone (Hebrews 13:5). The realization, I believe, is that:
“So we may boldly say; ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me?'” (verse 6)
My understanding is that everything has already been provided, we are equipped, we can handle (fill in the blank) or… we can tolerate whatever is happening.
There is also His words that He said He would never leave us with no way out:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1Corinthians 10:13)
Look at this verse again. Not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to bear it AND will also make the way of escape. I believe that so often we are focused on what we feel, what we think we need, when relief should occur (NOW) that we take our eyes off of the One who is our source – The Lord. Point being that if He says His grace is sufficient… then it is sufficient.
In 2Corinthians 12:9, The Lord says that His grace is sufficient … “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Do NOT make the mistake of assuming God wants us to suffer so He can use our weakness as an opportunity to demonstrate Himself. I believe that this is another opportunity for us to see His hand, to remember Whose we are, and that we really are able. Thorns may come… but you also are able because of His Grace.
