“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Initially, Paul can only think about stopping the pain. He pleaded three times. Strong stuff.

God’s grace is sufficient (here meaning His favor and presence)… Paul discovers this is his only barrier against despair. Knowing God in his daily experience is enough.

Where God is… ALL of God is.

Paul concludes

• God is not coming to prop up his strength. Human “strength” is an illusion.
• God often allows our human props to get knocked out from under us.
• In the experience of his weakness, Paul experiences more of God and what He wants to do in Paul’s circumstances.

“Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

He now prefers the highest forms of dependence on Christ. The greatest challenges and difficulties become fresh opportunities to trust Him, experience Him, and pursue His way through those difficulties.

Christ’s power hangs with the powerless.