Day 28 — Strong When Weak

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (BSB)

The apostle Paul had a problem. He called it a “thorn in the flesh.” We don’t know exactly what it was. It may have been a sickness or a pain that wouldn’t go away. Whatever it was, it hurt, and it made his life harder.

So Paul prayed. He asked God to take it away. Three times, he begged God to remove it.

And God said no.

But God didn’t just say no. He gave Paul something better than what he asked for. He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”

Sufficient means “enough.” God was saying, Paul, you don’t need this problem to go away. You need Me, and I am enough.

Then God said something surprising: “My power is perfected in weakness.” In other words, God’s strength shows up best when we’re weak.

Think about it this way. If a strong weightlifter lifts a heavy box, nobody is surprised. But if a tiny child lifts a car, everyone would know something amazing was going on! When we’re weak and God helps us anyway, it’s obvious that the strength came from Him.

We usually try to hide our weaknesses. We don’t want anyone to know we’re struggling, that we’re scared, that something is hard for us. But Paul said, “I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses.” He wasn’t embarrassed anymore, because his weakness was where he saw God’s power the most.

What are your weaknesses? Maybe reading is hard for you. Maybe you have a health problem. Maybe you get nervous around people. Maybe there’s a sin you keep struggling with. God doesn’t love you any less because of your weaknesses. And He can use them to show His power.

You don’t have to be strong enough. God’s grace is enough.

Think about it: What’s a weakness or struggle in your life that you wish God would take away? What might God want to show you through it?

Try this: Write down a weakness you have. Next to it, write: “God’s grace is enough for me.”

Dear God, thank You that Your grace is enough for me. I don’t have to be strong enough, because You are strong. When I feel weak, help me lean on You instead of hiding it. Show Your power through my weaknesses. In Jesus’ name, Amen.