My Grace is Sufficient in Suffering

2 Corinthians 12

Suffering is just hard, whether it be our own hardship, or the suffering or hardship of a love one or an acquaintance. It is the path that sin has dealt us in this life and a life sometimes chosen for us for a purpose. Many times, though not a popular thought, suffering is a result of many personal failures to follow the Spirit’s leading in obedience by faith.

Know, however, we all unfortunately suffer this side of eternity, be it the work we are involved, the ebb and flow of finances and provision, or the health crisis experienced from a degenerative and decaying body.

In the case of Paul, and even the other Apostles, suffering was not only instrumental in his testimony, but in his transformation, especially in the area of character building. Personal humility and wisdom from daily reliance on God, is first and foremost what we often resonate while reading the passages on the pages of our Bible. The suffering of the Apostle and their navigation in and through the valleys often give us an example, wisdom, strength, but mostly hope.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “We must form our estimate of men less from their achievements and failures and more from their sufferings.”

Just as God permitted Satan to test Job and Peter, so He permitted Satan to attack Paul. God wanted to keep Paul humble after his exciting visit to the third heaven, something I find so intriguing. Even more difficult than describing is the idea of seeing something so amazing and not being able to share for 14 years. I am at awe in how Paul could stay silent for so long at such magnificence as described by John in Revelation.

“I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-7 (ESV)

We do not know specifically what the “thorn in the flesh” or suffering Paul suffered, however, we do know he chose to Glorify God in and through the great difficulty he desired to escape and find strength each day in Christ alone.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV)

In the loving will of God, suffering has a purpose that can be fulfilled in no other way. Accept it, and it will become a heavenly blessing; fight it, and it will become a heavy burden.

May we also be reminded, as Paul was reminded, of the suffering our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ experienced even before His crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV)

Like our Lord in Gethsemane, Paul prayed three times for God to deliver him; but the Lord did not answer that prayer as Paul wanted. However, God did meet the need and gave His servant the grace he required. Paul did not simply make the best of it—he made the most of it! Grace can do that for you and me.

But, in this second letter to the Corinthians, Paul was concerned more about the sins of the saints than about his own physical problems. Like a loving father, he wanted to go to Corinth and enjoy his dear children, but they were forcing him to discipline them. Yet even discipline is an evidence of love.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Hebrews 12:3-17 ESV)
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Today, be reminded that “for the joy that lay before him, Jesus endured the cross” and much more for you and me. He, the Son of God made it through Friday by keeping his eyes on Sunday when he’d go back to the Father in heaven and sit down at the right hand of the throne of Gob. Regardless of the suffering and trials you’re facing, know that resurrection day is coming. Don’t grow weary and give up.

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