God Promises Sufficient Grace
The Strong Weak People
If there is anything we love to hate more than the arrogance of other. It would have to be awareness of our own weakness. We detest it so much that we invent ways to cover our personal inadequacy.
Even the apostle Paul needed to be reminded of his own frailty. He was jabbed time and again by what he called a "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). He didn't name his thorn J. Oswald Sanders reminds us whatever it was, "it hurt, humiliated, and restricted Paul." Many people have debated what it was and some have even suggested trigeminal neuralgia! Three times he begged the Lord to take it away, but his request wasn't granted. Instead he used his thorn to tap into God's all sufficient grace. The Lord promised, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (v9).
Courageously, Paul began to "own" his weakness and put the Lord's grace to the test, a pathway that Sanders calls "a gradual educative process" in the apostle's life. Sanders notes that eventually Paul no longer regarded his thorn as a "limiting handicap" but as a "heavenly advantage." And his advantage was this; When he was weak in himself, he was strong in the Lord.
As we accept our weakness, in Christ we can be strong weak people.
By Joanie Yoder
Paul said, "three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
If there is anything we love to hate more than the arrogance of other. It would have to be awareness of our own weakness. We detest it so much that we invent ways to cover our personal inadequacy.
Even the apostle Paul needed to be reminded of his own frailty. He was jabbed time and again by what he called a "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). He didn't name his thorn J. Oswald Sanders reminds us whatever it was, "it hurt, humiliated, and restricted Paul." Many people have debated what it was and some have even suggested trigeminal neuralgia! Three times he begged the Lord to take it away, but his request wasn't granted. Instead he used his thorn to tap into God's all sufficient grace. The Lord promised, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (v9).
Courageously, Paul began to "own" his weakness and put the Lord's grace to the test, a pathway that Sanders calls "a gradual educative process" in the apostle's life. Sanders notes that eventually Paul no longer regarded his thorn as a "limiting handicap" but as a "heavenly advantage." And his advantage was this; When he was weak in himself, he was strong in the Lord.
As we accept our weakness, in Christ we can be strong weak people.
By Joanie Yoder
Paul said, "three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
God Promises To Be Our Companion
And the God of all grace, ...after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10
While we wait for that comfort, we can be assured that God will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to beat the trial. Every difficult circumstance is timed beyond our ability to beat the trial. Every difficult circumstance is timed with exact precision. Every hard situation is screened through His perfect love. We will not suffer one moment more, nor will we suffer more intensely than is necessary. God will not allow those most vulnerable to life's difficulties to be overtaken by them.
There may be deep waters through which you must wade; there may be fires through which the one of your character must pass. But in the midst of the God promises to be your partner companion, and faithful friend. He will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)
By David Roper
While we wait for that comfort, we can be assured that God will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to beat the trial. Every difficult circumstance is timed beyond our ability to beat the trial. Every difficult circumstance is timed with exact precision. Every hard situation is screened through His perfect love. We will not suffer one moment more, nor will we suffer more intensely than is necessary. God will not allow those most vulnerable to life's difficulties to be overtaken by them.
There may be deep waters through which you must wade; there may be fires through which the one of your character must pass. But in the midst of the God promises to be your partner companion, and faithful friend. He will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10)
By David Roper
Bible verses that helped me fight this...I could not have done it alone without the Lord to go to. Everything I conquered in this battle was all in God's glory.
Being able to not do much of anything while in pain, especially in the hospital, and during the LONG nights, I wished I had memorized bible verses I could recite or think of. One of the things the neuroscientist told me to do to make a healthier brain was to work on memorization. I'm memorizing bible verses that hit home for me. It helps people in all types of need I have found. Here are a few of the many I have now-
#1 “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 I have probably said this one over a million times and in the hospital it was 24/7.
This is a go to all the time. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
This is a hard one when you're getting a knife in the eye constantly. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
This is one is so true and one of the reasons this website exists. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith develops steadfastness (perseverance). And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
In every situation of adversity throughout my life, good things have been the result.
When you’re knocked of life’s difficulties, remember that it says in Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mathew 6:34
I have told you these, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Being able to not do much of anything while in pain, especially in the hospital, and during the LONG nights, I wished I had memorized bible verses I could recite or think of. One of the things the neuroscientist told me to do to make a healthier brain was to work on memorization. I'm memorizing bible verses that hit home for me. It helps people in all types of need I have found. Here are a few of the many I have now-
#1 “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 I have probably said this one over a million times and in the hospital it was 24/7.
This is a go to all the time. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
This is a hard one when you're getting a knife in the eye constantly. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
This is one is so true and one of the reasons this website exists. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith develops steadfastness (perseverance). And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
In every situation of adversity throughout my life, good things have been the result.
When you’re knocked of life’s difficulties, remember that it says in Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mathew 6:34
I have told you these, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16:33
