December 4

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

In this experience, the discipline of the Holy Spirit leads Paul to a new discovery. He has gone through a lot already, and he is not one to fear danger or sickness; yet now he is being sore tried. The thorn in the flesh is no ordinary thorn. If Paul says it is painful, then it must be very painful indeed. He is weakened by it. But at the very point God gives him grace which he affirms is “sufficient.” Paul has thus made a dual discovery. He recognizes not merely God’s strength but also his own weaknesses—and not ashamed to tell us so.

Countless saints in the Church have been carried through trial and testing by means of the revelation of God to Paul. Oh, if we ourselves only knew how weak we are! For as soon as weakness leaves us, power likewise departs. But like Paul, the testings you and I go through perfect the words we utter. As we then rise up and admitting our own weakness, speak words that are tempered through trial, our brothers and sisters, themselves under testing, are given by God the grace and the strength to carry them through also.