2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV [7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Another Translation
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 MSG [7-10] Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
God’s Power Is Made Perfect In Our Weakness!
Through our pain and at our lowest point God is more powerfully working in our lives and circumstances. It is at these points in our lives that we are more open to His favor and grace manifesting. This scripture isn’t saying that He is only powerful when we are weak, but that we allow Him more power, leeway, into the areas of deepest concern to us in our weakness. If we did not have areas that were broken then He could never humble us and keep us vulnerable to His will and direction. Not saying God wants to cripple you; He wants to be the glue that keeps you together, the scaffolding and foundation that keeps you walking firmly according to His Word. He knows that we are dust and we need Him to keep us strong. We were made to function in His kingdom, so how can we function properly without Him? When we pray and believe that He is strong enough to help us achieve our best in our weak spots, we also need to know and believe that His strength is just what we need (sufficient) to propel us to the next level. Take Him with you no matter what you face physically, spiritually, or emotionally. God is able and He will do whatever is needed.
John 15:1-10 MSG [1-3] “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. [4] “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. [5-8] “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples. [9-10] “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.