How Weakness Becomes Strength

Think of a situation you wish you could change, and then imagine what the apostle Paul must have been going through in 2 Corinthians 12.

Paul was suffering, and so he repeatedly begged God to remove his pain. But God doesn’t change Paul’s situation. Instead, God tells Paul that His “grace is enough” for him. 
 
Charis, the ancient Greek word for “grace,” conveyed the favor God showed humanity when He sent Jesus to earth for us. 
 
Before Jesus, people couldn’t draw near to God on their own. But Jesus made a way for anyone to experience intimacy with God. A relationship with God isn’t something we earn—it’s a free gift we receive when we accept that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead. 
 
So when God tells Paul that His “grace is sufficient,” what He’s essentially saying is: “I am enough for you.” 

God could meet Paul’s needs because God was all Paul needed—and God was with Paul. The influence Paul had was only because God chose to show off His power through him.
 
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 
2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-7 NIV (emphasis added)
 
We are all like “jars of clay”—simple and not that impressive. But when we submit our lives to God, we become containers that showcase His power. 
 
Like Paul, we can then boast about how weak we are so that way God gets the credit for every great thing that happens to us. 

Our situations might not change, but our cry often changes from, “God please remove this suffering,” to, “God, when I suffer—show me how You are using this for Your glory and my good.”  
 
So whatever you’re facing, know that God is near. He sees you, and He loves you. Take some time today and ask God to show you how He is empowering you. Draw near to Him, and let Him strengthen you.