2 Corinthians 12:1-10
I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter. About this person I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.
Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,* in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ;e for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Grace of Dependence: Letting go of self-reliance and trusting in God’s strength. This grace encourages you to surrender your anxieties and burdens to God, acknowledging that He is ultimately in control.
Strength in Weakness: A Reflection
In this powerful passage from 2 Corinthians, Paul grapples with a seemingly contradictory truth: that weakness can be the very source of strength in our faith.
He starts by recounting a profound, otherworldly experience – a glimpse of paradise. Yet, this incredible encounter is overshadowed by a persistent “thorn in the flesh,” a mysterious weakness that keeps him grounded. Interestingly, Paul doesn’t seek removal of this thorn. Instead, he finds his boasting not in his visions, but in his very vulnerabilities.
Why? Because in his weakness, Paul discovers a deeper dependence on God’s grace. He realizes that God’s power shines brightest when we are at our weakest. It’s when we are stripped of our self-reliance that we truly turn to God and experience His strength working through us.
This message is incredibly relevant for us today. We all have our own “thorns in the flesh” – the struggles, limitations, and insecurities that weigh us down. These challenges can be tempting to hide or overcome in our own strength. But Paul’s reflection offers a different perspective.
Here are some graces we can cultivate from this passage:
- Grace to Embrace Weakness: Instead of fearing or denying our weaknesses, we can see them as opportunities to rely on God’s strength.
- Grace to Find Joy in Dependence: True strength comes from surrendering control and trusting in God’s grace to carry us through.
- Grace to Redefine Strength: Strength isn’t about overcoming challenges alone, but about allowing God’s power to work through our vulnerabilities.
This reflection challenges us to:
- Acknowledge our Weaknesses: Take time to honestly reflect on your own struggles. What are your “thorns in the flesh?”
- Reframe Your Perspective: Instead of seeing weakness as a burden, view it as an opportunity to experience God’s grace more deeply.
- Find Strength in Dependence: Practice surrendering your anxieties and burdens to God, trusting that He will see you through.
Remember, God’s power is made perfect in weakness. When we embrace our vulnerabilities and lean on His grace, we discover a strength far greater than anything we can muster on our own. So, don’t be afraid of your “thorns.” They may just be the key to unlocking a deeper experience of God’s strength in your life.
Challenge to Dependence: Are you comfortable relying on God’s strength, or do you tend to try to handle everything on your own?
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post