I read an old quote the other day from legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holts that said, “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”
In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, we learn about the “thorn in the flesh” the apostle Paul was tormented by and how he responded to it. While we do not know what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, it seems it was a hindrance to him and his ministry and could have been responsible for some of the insults or hardships he experienced.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT) “8Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Although Paul prayed three times for healing and did not receive it, he received things far greater. He received greater grace from God and experienced God’s power because of it. Paul then developed a stronger character, created a sense of humility, and produced an ability to rely on God.
God does not intend for us to seek to be weak or passive and at times we all have experienced enough hindrances and setbacks that has created weakness in our lives. As Christians, our response should be to recognize our limitations, to pray, to rely on God’s power, and to trust that He is at work in our lives.
