"God's Grace is Sufficient"

God’s Grace is sufficient

Here is a short thought that God has been teaching me throughout the years.

In Philippians 4:11, Paul is writing and makes this statement: "...for I have learned, in

whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Later, in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul is writing again and says, "...there was given to me a thorn in

the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me."

I think everyone would agree with me when I say that a thorn in the flesh would hurt. I hate pain,

and so far, I have never met a person who would disagree. No one enjoys pain.

Unfortunately, in this sin-cursed world, there will be moments of pain and tribulation (John

16:33). I don't know what any of you are going through. Maybe it's a breakup, a family member

who has gone astray, or maybe bad news from the doctor. Whatever it is, it feels out of your

control and, in our eyes, hopeless.

So how could Paul truthfully say he had learned to be content in "whatsoever" state he found

himself in?

The answer, I believe, is found in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, starting in verse 7.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was

given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted

above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he

said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most

gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in

distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

God's precious and wonderful grace is what will get us through those thorns in the flesh, and it's

His grace that can help us be content in our "whatsoever," too!

In 2021 God gave me a thorn in the flesh. I felt as if my whole world came crumbling

down. I lost my health, my job, my independence. It was a good day when I could get out of bed.

For the longest time I questioned the Lord. “Why me? I don’t understand.” One day I was having

a rough day physically and we were at church and the preacher was reading in 2 Corinthians 12.

I had read those verses before but they never stood out to me like they did that day! Ladies,

God’s grace… cling to it and rest in it! I hope and pray this will be a help to someone today.