Dear friend, today we are going to meditate on II Corinthians 12:9. The Lord says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." In the NLT translation, it says, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." In the Bible, Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, and three times he begged God to take it away. There's a proverb that says, "No pain, no gain." The pain you feel today will become the strength you feel tomorrow. But some are unable to bear the pain and grow angry with God. Sometimes they pray like this: “If You’re not healing me, I’m not going to serve You anymore.” And eventually, they fall into depression. But the truth is that the more pain we go through, the more strength we receive from God.

God teaches humility through the pains in our lives. He allows these experiences so that we can draw closer to Him. That’s why the Bible says in Acts 14:22, "Through many tribulations and hardships we must enter into the kingdom of God." Every day, we must carry our cross. Only then can we truly follow Him. We have to bear the pain, endure the suffering, and as believers, say to God, “Lord, it is for my good that I’m afflicted.” But on the other hand, when we pray, “Lord, take away this thorn from my life,” we may not always receive the answer we hope for. Instead, God says, “My child, My grace is sufficient for you.” Whether the thorn we struggle with today is physical, emotional, or spiritual, we must trust that God has a purpose. His grace is sufficient for you. God's grace can heal any kind of hurt we are facing.

As II Corinthians 3:5 says, “Our sufficiency is from God.” May the Lord’s grace be sufficient for you. May you be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus has already suffered for your sake. You don’t have to carry your burdens. He already carried them on the cross. So let us daily depend on the grace that comes from the Lord. May your sufficiency come from Him.

PRAYER: 
Loving Lord, thank You for Your grace that sustains me. When I am weak, You are my strength and my shield. Even when my prayers seem unanswered, You are working for my good. Teach me to embrace the thorn and trust in Your purpose. Help me not to grow bitter in pain, but to grow closer to You. Let Your grace be my daily portion and my quiet confidence. Fill my heart with peace even in the storms of life. Remind me that You have already carried my burdens on the cross. Strengthen me, Lord, by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.