God's All-Sufficient Grace - Ben Bailey

God’s All-Sufficient Grace

            Like many of us today, Paul had a “thorn in the flesh”.  This was a trial of some kind that gave him much grief.  This “thorn in the flesh” bothered Paul so much that he prayed to the Lord three times to remove it.  To Paul’s request, God responded by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9).  Instead of removing Paul’s infirmity, God reminds Paul of the all-sufficiency of His grace.  This same strength that God promised Paul should also apply directly to us when we face difficulty.  Instead of dwelling on our problems, we should be able to look beyond those problems to the grace and love of God.  Here is how we can do just that.

            Look beyond your problems.  The Apostle Paul eloquently stated, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).  Instead of getting discouraged and down about our problems and difficulties, we need to realize that our problems are not even a drop in the bucket compared to the beauty of Heaven.  Too many times we focus on the physical world of suffering and forget that we are headed to Heaven.  Let’s move beyond our physical problems and see the joy of Heaven.

            Look above your problems.  The brother of the Lord reminded us of the benefit of suffering when he said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).  Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of suffering, we must be able to look above our problems to the good they can bring us.  Imagine how closely attached to this world we might be if there were no suffering.  James reminds us that we must be able to rejoice at the difficulties we have because they help us grow as Christians.  

            While trials are going to come to each of us, we must remember that God’s grace is sufficient to help us deal with our trials.  When we remember that Heaven will be worth it all and that suffering helps us grow, we can overcome our suffering with God’s grace.  May God give us the strength to remain faithful to His all-sufficient grace.