When I Am Weak

 

For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:6-10

The Apostle Paul was an evangelist.  He was famous and hundreds of people would come to hear him speak and seek to have fellowship with him.  

But Paul faced a challenge that he called "a thorn in the flesh" which tormented him and which he believed was allowed by God to keep him humble. There are a number of theories regarding what this thorn was.  Some think that Paul had a difficult marriage, others think he had failing vision, or a painful disease which interfered with his ministry.  

What did Paul do about this thorn?  He said he prayed for relief.  It did not come, but God gave Paul the strength to continue his ministry through the power of Christ.  Paul discovered that when he was week, God made him strong.  

We too may face personal difficulties which can impact our ability to serve God and share the Gospel, but like Paul we can persevere and minister to others.

When we are weak, then we are strong.