Read: 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10
Meditation verse:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The exact nature of Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is not revealed in Scripture, but what we do know is that it caused him considerable discomfort—so much so that he pleaded with God three times to take it away. His cry was earnest, perhaps even desperate.
But God, in His sovereign wisdom, chose not to remove the thorn. Instead, He offered Paul something even greater: grace. Paul’s response to God’s “No” was not one of resignation but of resolve. He embraced his weakness and allowed it to showcase the strength of Christ. He didn’t let the thorn hinder his calling or slow his ministry. He learned to live with the discomfort by leaning into divine grace—a grace that empowered him to keep going, keep preaching, and keep thriving.
You may be carrying a “thorn” of your own—a chronic struggle, a lingering weakness, an unanswered prayer, or a painful past that refuses to fade. Perhaps you’ve waited and wept, hoping God would take it away.
But like Paul, you may need to accept that the thorn remains, not because God is indifferent, but because His grace is sufficient for you. Grace is not just a spiritual concept; it is a divine enabler. It empowers you to function effectively despite the struggle. You don’t have to be free of the weakness to live victoriously—you only need to depend on God’s grace within it.
How do you appropriate this grace? You begin by speaking it, believing it, and walking in the consciousness of it. Let your declarations align with God’s promise: “Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. I surrender my will to Yours.” If you struggle with anger, anxiety, addiction, fear, or self-doubt, grace is available to help you rise above it.
You may not be instantly transformed, but as you continue to speak God’s Word and submit to His Spirit, transformation will come. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Speak His Word often—into your mind, your emotions, and your circumstances.
Grace is not permission to stay weak; it is power to keep moving despite weakness. Even when your flesh falters, your spirit can be strengthened by the One who lives in you. So today, live in the light of this truth: You are not disqualified by your thorn. You are empowered through it. Like Paul, you can say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” The thorn may not be removed, but God’s grace will always be enough.
IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye
Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)
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