Reaching Out to God When Pain OverwhelmsSample

“Delighting in Weakness”

Scripture reading: Romans 5:3-5; Romans 8:18-39; 2 Corinthians 11:16—12:10

The apostle Paul suffered great pain throughout his ministry. He says, “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud” (2 Corinthians 12:7). We don’t know if the thorn he suffered was a physical ailment, emotional torment, a spiritual attack, or even relational pain. This perhaps makes it easier to relate not only to his pain but also to his desire for God to remove it. He asked God three times to remove the thorn but didn’t get the result he sought; rather God told him that his grace was sufficient in Paul’s pain.

Through this painful trial, Paul gained an appreciation for his pain and resulting weakness because it highlighted God’s grace and strength. Paul says, “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). His declaration, “I delight,” indicates that he thought good of what others might only consider punishment at the hand of God. Instead of blaming, accusing, or resenting God for his pain, Paul trusted that his heavenly Father knew best, and he welcomed his grace and the clarity that came with it to understand its value in his life.

Paul’s revelation regarding his pain reminds us that God never withholds good from his children and that our job is to trust that ultimately God truly does work all things for our good and for his glory (see Romans 8:28).

God never chastised Paul for his plea that God remove the thorn, yet he also didn’t give Paul the response he desired. Instead of rescuing Paul, God extended grace to endure. What a gift that is! My greatest desire is that my journey through pain will offer a platform for God’s power and will result in a testimony and undebatable witness to God’s great mercy and grace.

Our lesson? Accept that God’s answer is his best for us and trust him to work it for our good and his glory.

What are others around you learning about God as they observe how you are enduring your pain?