Do any of you have days when you feel totally inadequate, way in over your head? Do you have times when life is asking too much of you and you just feel like throwing in the towel, giving up? Do you ever find yourself pleading with God to take you out of the situation you’re in, to rescue you from a burden that is more than you can bear? No? Well, count yourself blessed, because I sure do and I think everyone does at one time or another.
Paul felt that way. He says, “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV). He doesn’t say what this thorn was, but it left him feeling helpless, stressed out, and desperate for relief. Three times he pleaded to God to take it away, to pull out the thorn, but the only answer he got was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (v. 9).
I’m sure that’s not the answer Paul wanted, but it was the one he needed to hear. It is only when we come to the point of desperation, when we realize how inadequate we are, that we realize how desperately we need God’s strength and it is only in total dependence on Him that we can attain total victory.
Today, when you’re feeling totally inadequate, when you feel like you can’t go on, can’t take another step, lean on Jesus. In your weakness hold on to His strength. Trust in Him and He will carry you through to a brighter tomorrow. No matter what challenges you face, His grace will be sufficient for you, because in Him even the weak become strong..