"Lord, Take It Away..."

No. My grace is sufficient.

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Last week’s message: Wait.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

... I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 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.

ID 241587127 | Emotional Pain © Samwordley | Dreamstime.com

It seems all of us are facing a struggle or hardship of one type or another – mental, emotional, physical, financial, relational, or even a spiritual crisis. We have probably prayed fervently for relief and for the Lord to take away the pain, whatever the source.

But sometimes He doesn’t.

This verse has always been perplexing to me. Why is it said so many times in the Word, “If you ask with belief, Your prayers will be answered,” and yet Paul’s prayer for healing and relief from his suffering was not granted? Maybe the answer is in understanding the lesson, not focusing on the unanswered prayer.

Grace

Let’s consider grace. Grace refers to God’s unearned favor, His kindness, and His help, which is given freely despite our shortcomings. It's not something we can earn; it’s how God sustains and strengthens us. When God tells Paul that His grace is "sufficient," He is assuring him that no matter what struggles or trials surround him, God's presence and love will always be enough to meet his needs. It reminds us that we don’t need to rely on our abilities, power, and might to push us through life's challenges. God's grace is all-encompassing and provides for us in ways that surpass our understanding, even when we have to wait…and wait…and wait for an answer.

If we were SELF-sufficient, strong, and able to handle everything on our own, we might think that we don’t need God’s help. But when we are weak—whether physically, emotionally, spiritually, or circumstantially—God’s strength shines through. God's grace meets us most profoundly in the places where we are most broken.

From this perspective, we see that Paul was given this "thorn" in the flesh not to punish him but to keep him humble and dependent on God. This is why he went on to say that he delights in his weaknesses and difficulties. Leaning on God and His provisions is what makes him strong

This passage is a profound reminder that we don’t need to hide our weaknesses from the Lord or pretend to be strong when we’re really crushed and suffering. Instead, we can lean into God’s strength, knowing that His power will shine through—in His timing—precisely in the places where we fall short.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are near the broken-hearted, and those who are cast down and unable to get up. We cry out to You for help with these trying circumstances. God, I'm spent. I can’t continue to carry this affliction on my own. Search me and see if there are any stumbling blocks in my life, in my mind, or in my heart that need to be confessed and set right so that I might see and feel the full manifestation of Your grace. You say in Your Word, when I seek you with all my heart, I will find you. (Jeremiah 29:13). I don’t know what to do next or where to find relief, so I am coming to You more earnestly than ever.

So here I am, Lord. I’ve spread it all out on the carpet in front of You, all the anger, frustration, disappointment, impatience, and pain – both physical and emotional – for full transparency. Sift me, Lord. Find the specks in my life that need to go. You know it all and see it all, anyway. I am approaching You with honesty and surrender so that Thy will WILL be done. I believe in Your promises with my whole being. My flesh may be weak, but my spirit is willing. If the thorn is not removed, teach me how to live with it and daily give it to You while I walk WITH You. Help me to know that more lessons are coming from these circumstances so I can be my best and help others. Help me embrace what I know: my ways and timing are not Your ways. I surrender to You with love and trust. Amen.