In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 I read, “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.’” (NIV)
So what can I do when I can’t fix a problem, solve a riddle, change a circumstance, or control a hurt? I throw myself on the sustaining grace of God.
He offers me the kind of grace I need to keep going in spite of temptations, trials, tension, tiredness, and troubles. To accept his grace, I can do these four things:
First, cry out for God’s help. When I pretend to be self-sufficient, I end up short-circuiting God’s power in my life. I need to admit my inadequacy and say, “God, I can’t handle this!” The Bible says, “‘God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.’ So give yourselves completely to God . . . Come near to God, and God will come near to you” (James 4:6-8 NCV).
Second, fill my mind with God’s Word. Let God’s Word comfort, strengthen, fill, soothe, and energize me to keep going. Get into it every single day of my life. The psalmist prayed, “I lie in the dust; revive me by your word” (Psalm 119:25 NLT). If I could find the solution within myself, I’d already be changed. I need to look to God! He’s the only one with sustaining strength.
Third, accept support from God’s people. The Bible says that, by helping each other with our troubles, we obey the law of Christ, which is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” God never meant for me to go through life on my own. My weaknesses help me realize how much I need others. I need to accept support from God’s people.
Lastly, hold on to God’s promises. There are around 5,500 of them in the Bible waiting to be claimed. Here’s one of them: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV). Keep my hope in the Lord and my eyes focused on the hope of heaven, not just on the here and now.
The Bible says, “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’” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV).
When I’m going through a problem I can’t fix, don’t give up. Just look up!
In summary, when I’m looking for some affliction to be taken from me, God tells me his grace is sufficient, for his power is made perfect in my weakness. So what can I do when I can’t fix a problem, solve a riddle, change a circumstance, or control a hurt? I throw myself on the sustaining grace of God. God offers me the kind of grace I need to keep going in spite of temptations, trials, tension, tiredness, and troubles. To accept his grace, I can do these four things: First, cry out for God’s help. When I pretend to be self-sufficient, I end up short-circuiting God’s power. Admit my inadequacy and say, “God, I can’t handle this!” The Bible says, “‘God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.’ Second, fill my mind with God’s Word. Let God’s Word comfort, strengthen, fill, soothe, and energize me to keep going. Look to God! He’s the only one with sustaining strength. Third, accept support from God’s people. By helping each other with our troubles, we obey the law of Christ. God never meant for me to go through life on my own. My weaknesses help me realize how much I need others. I need to accept support from God’s people. Lastly, hold on to God’s promises, such as, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Keep my hope in the Lord and my eyes focused on the hope of heaven, not just on the here and now. When I’m going through a problem I can’t fix, don’t give up. Just look up!
In reflection, God may not remove my physical affliction, but he does promise to demonstrate his power in me. The fact that God's power is displayed in my weakness should give me courage and hope. Father, as I recognize my limitations, I will seek to depend more on you for my effectiveness rather than my own energy, effort, and talents. My limitations and weaknesses will help me develop the character you want to grow in me. Father, I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others and my next job role. I do thank you for the feedback I received on a previous role I was pursuing, as it will help me to focus on areas I need to focus on. I pray these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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