Paul didn’t always have it easy. We sort of expect this great man of God to have had the inside lane. But it doesn’t work that way. God knows man. Indeed, He created man. God knew Paul and He knew what Paul was able to do. Therefore, Paul was equipped with thorns to keep him close to God.

But Paul was not so pleased with that. He experienced the devil’s attacks very intensely. 7… Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! Paul got tired of the pain it caused. He was tired of being attacked by the devil and his cronies. How much do you have to suffer for your Creator?

And the way we know Paul, he didn’t keep quiet about this. O no. We can actually recognize a little bit of revolt against God and it seems as if he questioned God’s help. 8At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that …

Can you hear Paul’s cries? Can you see yourself in him and his circumstances? Have you ever asked the Lord to take the hardship and suffering from your life for a bit? O please, Lord, just take this load! I can’t go on anymore! My business, my work, my fellow men, my family, the children, my parents, my money, my feelings, my marriage, everything Lord, everything is against me. I actually wonder if You are still there …

God heard Paul calling. He saw his suffering and experienced it with him. And God bent down to Paul and gave him a piece of the bigger picture: 9… and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”

God’s goodness is enough for Paul. God’s goodness is enough for you and me. Don’t focus on the hardship or the hurt you’re going through, but train your sights and focus on the knowledge that God is sufficient for you. Believe with all you have that God is in control. Know that He will find a way to turn around the hardship you are currently suffering to honour His Name. You don’t have to understand everything. Even though you are not in control of everything, God knows. God remains in control. God will take care of you. God will come through for you.

There where you feel weak and out of control, with the storm winds blowing through your life or coming towards you, you have to know that this is when God’s power can become truly visible. Yes, when we stand back we all of a sudden see God’s power. Then, in a way, we give God space to do His thing and one miracle after another will flow through our lives.

I want to say to you: Sit back and watch this space. Look beyond your suffering – yes, there where you have to struggle against everything that life throws at you – and keep your eyes on God. Imprint upon yourself that God’s goodness is simply enough. Know that His power is enough. Where you are weak, God takes control to allow you to experience His power.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Reflection

Are you weak?

How strong is God’s power in you?

Is God’s goodness enough for you?

Prayer

Father, sometimes I shake my fists and cannot understand why everything is so hard. Sometimes I cannot see past my circumstances and wonder where You are. Yes, I struggle to be weak, but I realise that I often stand in your way to release your wonderful power in my life. Lord I am weak. Please be strong for me. Amen