2 Corinthians 12:7-10

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Thoughts from Kimber Gilbert

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QOP- Swipe
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“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

QOP- Behind the Scenes
Slide

Paul is probably one of the most well-known New Testament Bible characters within Christian circle. – and for good reason. After his radical encounter with God on the road to Damascus that led to his conversion, Paul became one of the most fervent missionaries for Christ. The Lord spoke to Paul through visions and revelations that helped propel his ministry and bring many to salvation. But many of us know from experience even today, the enemy attacks those who are advancing the kingdom – and because of his efforts, faith, and unwillingness to deny his Lord, Paul faced some of the most severe trials and tribulations. (Check out the preceding chapter, 2 Corinthians 11 for some of the physical and emotional suffering that Paul faced.)

Slide

With his long list of ministry accomplishments, his ability to withstand the trials thrown at him time and time again, I think we can all agree that if someone is entitled to boast about their missionary rap sheet, it’s Paul. Even Paul recognized that he could boast about it if he wanted to. In the preceding verses to today’s passage Paul says “I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1). But just because he can doesn’t mean he did. He went on to say “…but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me’(2 Corinthians 12:5-6).

Slide

Today’s passage sheds some light on why Paul remembered not to boast: “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” We’re not told whether it was a physical or emotional ailment, but regardless, it clearly caused anguish for Paul. He pleaded three times to be relieved of the suffering, but listen to God’s response: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Slide

Read that again and allow your heart to soak in the magnitude of this message: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul prayed for healing from the evil that Satan was rendering, but God basically said let Me reframe this for you: your weakness allows My light to shine even brighter through you, thereby advancing our mission of winning hearts back to Me! Talk about a plot twist in Satan’s efforts – what he meant to use for evil and destruction the Lord used for good.

Slide

What’s important to note here too, was Paul’s obedience to bear the suffering for Christ and acceptance of it to serve as a reminder for him to return to God in prayer. After God answers, Paul responds with “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul trusted in God’s plan even though it looked different than what he expected or even wanted. He used the suffering to push him deeper into the heart of God – he knew he couldn’t do ministry on his own especially with this ailment. And so, he went to God in prayer, for strength, perseverance, and hope.

QOP- Make it Real
Slide

I recently had a Paul-like experience regarding my health and my prayers for it. I’m 15 weeks pregnant with my second child, and this pregnancy has been brutal (not Paul-level suffering but no ailment is fun right?). The “morning sickness” lasts all day, the fatigue has left me feeling unproductive, and just the overall experience has been unpleasant with a myriad of other pregnancy symptoms. With that, I’ve felt very defeated and miserable the past couple months and I found myself pleading with God (like Paul) to take away my symptoms (while of course protecting baby!)

Slide

As I was venting to one of my mentors about how miserable I was and telling her how I was praying for relief from the “morning” sickness, she sweetly shared with me something that encouraged her during a time of suffering she experienced. She shared how God helped her to reframe the way she prayed about her current situation. While it was still ok to ask God to take away the suffering (remember Paul asked 3x!) she also asked God to reveal to her anything He wanted to teach her about the experience as well.

Slide

This hit me like a ton of bricks and quickly transported me back to this story of Paul. Paul prayed to be relieved of his ailment, but God had a different plan. He used Paul’s suffering to propel Paul to prayer and so that He could shine through Paul’s weakness. I’m now in my second trimester and the symptoms – though slightly improving – have certainly not subsided. I still feel nauseous almost all day every day. And although I’m still asking God to give me relief so that I can stop carrying airsick bags with me everywhere I go, my prayer is going beyond that. I’m asking God, “If you choose not to relieve me, what do you have to teach me in this season of suffering?” and not only that but “How can we use this to bring glory and honor to you?”

Slide

As Christians, trials and tribulations are inevitable. Satan wants to take you out because you are a threat to the growth of his meager realm. But we know the end of the story: God wins, Satan is defeated, and we get to share eternal life with Him when we accept His free gift of grace. Let’s bring as many as we can to heaven with us, just like Paul. Let’s create plot twists like Paul and use Satan’s thorns for God’s good!

Slide

Are you ready to reframe your prayer life today and see how God uses it? Let’s boast like Paul did and find our strength in the Lord: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

QOP- End in Prayer
Slide

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that the burden of being perfect is not ours to bear. Thank you that you can use our weaknesses in powerful and lifechanging ways. I pray that as I go throughout my day and the next week that I would be reminded like Paul to come to you in prayer always. Help me seek the desires of your heart in ALL aspects of my life. In your precious and holy name I pray, Amen.

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“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Behind the Scenes

Paul is probably one of the most well-known New Testament Bible characters within Christian circle. – and for good reason.  After his radical encounter with God on the road to Damascus that led to his conversion, Paul became one of the most fervent missionaries for Christ. The Lord spoke to Paul through visions and revelations that helped propel his ministry and bring many to salvation. But many of us know from experience even today, the enemy attacks those who are advancing the kingdom – and because of his efforts, faith, and unwillingness to deny his Lord, Paul faced some of the most severe trials and tribulations. (Check out the preceding chapter, 2 Corinthians 11 for some of the physical and emotional suffering that Paul faced.) 

With his long list of ministry accomplishments, his ability to withstand the trials thrown at him time and time again, I think we can all agree that if someone is entitled to boast about their missionary rap sheet, it’s Paul. Even Paul recognized that he could boast about it if he wanted to. In the preceding verses to today’s passage Paul says “I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1). But just because he can doesn’t mean he did. He went on to say “…but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me’(2 Corinthians 12:5-6). 

Today’s passage sheds some light on why Paul remembered not to boast: “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” We’re not told whether it was a physical or emotional ailment, but regardless, it clearly caused anguish for Paul. He pleaded three times to be relieved of the suffering, but listen to God’s response: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Read that again and allow your heart to soak in the magnitude of this message: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul prayed for healing from the evil that Satan was rendering, but God basically said let Me reframe this for you: your weakness allows My light to shine even brighter through you, thereby advancing our mission of winning hearts back to Me! Talk about a plot twist in Satan’s efforts – what he meant to use for evil and destruction the Lord used for good.   

What’s important to note here too, was Paul’s obedience to bear the suffering for Christ and acceptance of it to serve as a reminder for him to return to God in prayer. After God answers, Paul responds with “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul trusted in God’s plan even though it looked different than what he expected or even wanted. He used the suffering to push him deeper into the heart of God – he knew he couldn’t do ministry on his own especially with this ailment. And so, he went to God in prayer, for strength, perseverance, and hope.  

Make It Real

I recently had a Paul-like experience regarding my health and my prayers for it. I’m 15 weeks pregnant with my second child, and this pregnancy has been brutal (not Paul-level suffering but no ailment is fun right?). The “morning sickness” lasts all day, the fatigue has left me feeling unproductive, and just the overall experience has been unpleasant with a myriad of other pregnancy symptoms. With that, I’ve felt very defeated and miserable the past couple months and I found myself pleading with God (like Paul) to take away my symptoms (while of course protecting baby!)  

As I was venting to one of my mentors about how miserable I was and telling her how I was praying for relief from the “morning” sickness, she sweetly shared with me something that encouraged her during a time of suffering she experienced. She shared how God helped her to reframe the way she prayed about her current situation. While it was still ok to ask God to take away the suffering (remember Paul asked 3x!) she also asked God to reveal to her anything He wanted to teach her about the experience as well.  

This hit me like a ton of bricks and quickly transported me back to this story of Paul. Paul prayed to be relieved of his ailment, but God had a different plan. He used Paul’s suffering to propel Paul to prayer and so that He could shine through Paul’s weakness. I’m now in my second trimester and the symptoms – though slightly improving – have certainly not subsided. I still feel nauseous almost all day every day. And although I’m still asking God to give me relief so that I can stop carrying airsick bags with me everywhere I go, my prayer is going beyond that. I’m asking God, “If you choose not to relieve me, what do you have to teach me in this season of suffering?” and not only that but “How can we use this to bring glory and honor to you?”  

As Christians, trials and tribulations are inevitable. Satan wants to take you out because you are a threat to the growth of his meager realm. But we know the end of the story: God wins, Satan is defeated, and we get to share eternal life with Him when we accept His free gift of grace. Let’s bring as many as we can to heaven with us, just like Paul. Let’s create plot twists like Paul and use Satan’s thorns for God’s good!  

Are you ready to reframe your prayer life today and see how God uses it? Let’s boast like Paul did and find our strength in the Lord: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

Kristen Krimmel

Kristen Krimmel

ACF Devo Team

End in Prayer

Heavenly Father,  

Thank you that the burden of being perfect is not ours to bear. Thank you that you can use our weaknesses in powerful and lifechanging ways. I pray that as I go throughout my day and the next week that I would be reminded like Paul to come to you in prayer always. Help me seek the desires of your heart in ALL aspects of my life. In your precious and holy name I pray, Amen.   

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