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When I brag about myself like this, I’m not talking the way the Lord would. I’m talking like a fool…Whatever anyone else dares to brag about, I also dare to brag about. I’m speaking like a fool!…If I have to brag, I will brag about the things that show how weak I am. I am not lying. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus knows this. May God be praised forever.”   II Corinthians 11:17, 21, 30-31

How often have we tried to lead a Christian life on our own–not depending on God to empower us? St. Paul shared his experience of this struggle in his life. He discovered that all that matters is accepting, embracing God’s grace. That it IS sufficient day by day. He tells of a ‘thorn’ in his life, asking God to release him. But then he discovered that it was there to accept God’s grace alone–not his work, not his victories, not his suffering for the Good News, not the churches he planted. It was simply and only GRACE.  Weakness reveals God’s work in you. What is your activation of this grace? Have you allowed Got use your weakness to change you to be blessed, to serve, to rejoice daily? God’s power is all we need for God’s glory and goodness.  His grace is enough.

God has shown me amazing and wonderful things. People should not think more of me because of it. So I wouldn’t become proud of myself, I was given a problem. This problem caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer.  Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me.  Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.  II Corinthians 12: 7-10