Perfect in Weakness

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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.” II Corinthians 12:7-10

Paul described a physical ailment with which he suffered as a thorn in the flesh. He said that God sent it to him to keep him humble. Paul prayed that God would remove the physical problem from his body, but the Lord spoke to Paul and told him that His grace was all that Paul needed in order to keep going. The Lord told Paul that he did not need to be healed and that his physical suffering had a purpose. God said that His strength and power were made perfect in weakness. When Paul was weak and feeble, it allowed the power of God to work through his life. Paul said, “When I am weak, then am I strong.” We worry so much about our weaknesses, and we think that they will keep us from accomplishing God’s will in our lives; but just the opposite is true. God wants to work through our weaknesses so that He can receive the glory for everything that is accomplished.