Today we bring you another verse on the theme of weakness. Do you remember the context of today’s verse? Do you remember Paul? In this chapter, we learn that he had a “thorn in the flesh.” We’re not sure what kind of weakness this is, but Paul asked God three times to take it away. For whatever reason, this was not God’s will. The Lord famously responds, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

How did Paul respond to this news that his prayer wouldn’t be answered? Did he pout and throw a tantrum? Did he lose faith? Did he go into denial?

Paul’s response is well worth reading in full:

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (v. 9-10)

Paul realized that his thorn was one more way that he could glorify Jesus Christ. When we don’t show weakness, when we admit no fault, when we sweep our wrongdoings under the rug and insist nobody talk about them, we are pretending that we are enough, that we are sufficient, that we don’t need God.

But, when we are weak…

• When we get sick
• When we lose a job
• When we look foolish to others
• When we choose the wrong path
• When we neglect our duty

…these are all opportunities for God to fix things. When He does, He gets the glory — not us. We have a testimony to tell that spotlights what He can do — not what we have done.

In what ways has God’s strength been made perfect in your weakness?

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.