If you’re anything like me, you probably have a tendency to put Biblical characters on a pedestal. We think of people like the Apostle Paul as though they had it all together all the time. But they were human just like us. They had weaknesses too. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh,” some problem that God allowed to persist in Paul’s life to keep him from becoming conceited with all he knew about God. Well, like anyone would do, Paul tells us that he pleaded with God to take away this “thorn,” and the response he received from God is beautiful! My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

               We all have weaknesses, don’t we? Maybe a physical ailment, maybe an emotional issue, maybe a difficult relationship, or some other situation that makes life hard. And so often we pray that God would fix these weak spots in our lives, and then we’re disappointed if he doesn’t. But what if we took God’s words to Paul seriously? We can! His grace is abundant, and it is sufficient to get us through! And, in the weak spots in our lives, his power is made perfect! Our weaknesses are opportunities for God to show off his power to the world around us! What an incredible way to look at the hard things in this life.