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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

I didn’t recognize the phone number, so I knew it was my daughter calling me. She never keeps the same phone number for long. She explained with little detail that she had not called in so long because she had a lot going on. She asked, “How have you been?”

“I’ve had a lot of back pain. More than usual. It’s a bad case of sciatica.”

I cut the call short. Nerve pain shot from my hip down to my ankle in my left leg. I just couldn’t talk long when I was hurting so bad.

I felt certain she would call soon since she knew about my condition, but no call came. Not at Thanksgiving, nor at Christmas.

What she didn’t say came through loud and clear; I don’t care. Now it’s the last few days of January, and I thought about the entire matter. I really wondered why it didn’t bother me more. I guess I have grown to expect this from her.

A few months ago, I asked God, “Where is Your grace, because it doesn’t feel sufficient?”

My severe pain had driven me to that point. But now, I see that His grace is more than sufficient. Discouragement should overwhelm me. I should cry, but God has given me His grace.

During the eight years when my daughter was wayward, His grace held me together. He kept me calm and I knew He was watching over her, and I didn’t need to worry.

Now, that same grace has strengthened me concerning my daughter’s lack of compassion. As Paul wrote in today’s verse, we will boast of God’s grace. He gives us His power in our weakness. Whether physical or emotional, His grace overcomes our pain.

Friend, I don’t know what you are traversing today. Is it a wayward child or one who acts unloving toward you? Is it physical pain, emotional pain, or a combination of the two? Are you weary from being a caretaker? Have the price of groceries stretched your wallet further than it can go? Do you need deliverance from fear, worry, or rejection? Are you waiting for a breakthrough from depression, shame, or stress?

God’s grace is available. Pain has driven me into the Bible for comfort, and I encourage you to run into the arms of God. Even if you are already there, cling to Him even tighter. He is all we have, and yes, His grace is more than sufficient.

Lord God, I need Your grace more than ever. I realize that apart from You, I am weak, but the strength people see is You at work in my life. Thank You for grace and mercy. Thank You for what You are doing in my life, even though I don’t see it right now. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV)

HIKING THE TRAIL

The above verse is still part of Paul’s words on God’s grace. Can you agree with Paul on any of the hardships he listed? How can you strive to agree with Paul?

RELATED RESOURCE

Many of our problems fall under the category of emotional bondage. Are you tired of being stressed out, fearful, discouraged, or bitterness? I know that feeling too well, so I discovered a way to be free of all of it, and it is right in the Bible. Check it out here.

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Originally posted on January 30, 2023 @ 1:00 am