Thank You Jesus for Your grace that is sufficient for me and my weaknesses.

Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NKJV- “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul’s confession of weakness makes it easier for us to confess our weaknesses. Paul’s thorns in his flesh help us share about ours. I better understand Paul’s boasting and pleasures regarding his infirmities. Whatever brings us to God, we can accept, embrace, and boast of how our thorns brought alive God’s power and Jesus’ grace for us.

Lesson eighteen of Celebrate Recovery references 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Returning to these scriptures helps me better understand it is ok to not be ok. Paul reminds us that Jesus’ grace is sufficient for us. Sufficient means enough. Thank You Jesus, Your grace is enough for me.

We must come to the realization that when we struggle with guilt, addictions and other thorns in the flesh God’s grace is all we need. We should not beat ourselves up over our weaknesses. Paul had them, every person walking this earth has them, whether they will admit them or not.

Our thorns are the very things that allow God to show His strength in us. Do not allow the fear of the opinions and understandings of others to make you feel ashamed that you are somehow deficient. You are not. Be thankful that you have a weakness that allows God to show Himself to you. Boast in your infirmities my brothers and sisters. Stand and be thankful that God reveals Himself in our weaknesses.

Because of our weaknesses we get to experience the power of Christ that rests upon us. Pause and feel Christ’s rest. God’s grace and His power is all we need. Thank you, God, for taking my weaknesses, my addictions, my anxieties and proving Your grace and Your strength. The Message translation brings a unique perspective to 2 Corinthians 9:7-10 below:

“7-10 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first, I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so, the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

I am thankful now that my weaknesses pushed me to my knees. On my knees I have learned to experience God’s strength and His rest. I am thankful that God’s strength is being perfected in my weaknesses. Are you willing to accept God’s perfect grace instead of trying to be perfect? Thank Jesus for the grace You give to us.

Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and power. You LORD are sufficient for me. Thank You LORD for my weaknesses that have brought me to my knees so that I may know You and Your power. I am boasting of You LORD and Your power that turns my weaknesses into power. What the evil one has attempted to use to break me has only built my strength in You. Use our stories, Lord, of Your grace and redemption so others, too, may know Your rest. Thank You LORD for Your strength that is perfected in my weaknesses. Thank You, Jesus for Your grace. You are more than enough for me. Amen.