2 Corinthians 12:7-9
…So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Here is a powerful story from a friend of mine named Mike. It affirms that God’s grace is sufficient! His power is always made perfect in our weakness.

I often lean on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. How Paul responds to his “thorn” taught me to deal with my thorn of cerebral palsy. Growing up, I had little experience with church, and what I did experience was bad. I was told my CP was a result of sin, demons, and a lack of faith. This made me feel rejected by God. For years, I prayed for healing and didn’t understand why this thorn wouldn’t go away. But despite bad doctrine being taught to me, Jesus saved me at 19; and in my study I came across these words: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul did not respond with a “woe is me” response when the Lord answered him this way. He rejoiced that Christ would get glory through his weakness. Jesus has taught me that human weakness is the perfect platform to display his glory. This is true with my cerebral palsy. The world and religion wrote me off. Doctors said that I would not do much with my life. Religion taught me that God rejected me. But Jesus taught me that he not only accepts me, but he was going to use my CP and my life to make much of him. I am a husband, father, minister, and former youth pastor. The doctors were right, I haven’t done much with my life; Jesus has!

Father, thank you for Mike’s story! Thank you for how you have used him and for teaching him that “human weakness is the perfect platform to display” your glory. Teach that lesson to us as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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