Many passages in the bible are difficult to understand the first time they are read. Many others are used in cliché fashions, their meaning and context now insignificant due to their familiarity. For example, The Lord’s Prayer. We no longer remember the context in which this prayer was said. We tend to recite instead of praying the prayer.

Another bible verse often taken out of context is 2 Corinthians 12:9. For a while I hated hearing the phrase “My grace is sufficient for you…” People I know have used this verse to justify their pain and suffering. Others wanted me to believe their interpretation of this incomplete verse found in the Apostle Paul’s vision and revelation. Instead, I asked questions: What is this grace that is sufficient in times of suffering? What kind of suffering or pain is Paul talking about? Does God cause us to suffer, only to abandon us? What kind of grace is that? For some time, I disliked the grace they were trying to convince me of.

Consequently, when the Lord was saying to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness,” I cried bitterly. While suffering financially and academically, I pondered on this passage asking myself: If God causes me to suffer who can save me? Why does God want me to suffer? Instead of wandering from the Lord, I wrestled with both God and Scripture daily. I refused to believe that God causes struggle and does not rescue us.

He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me.

Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord is sufficient to empower us to overcome any struggle or suffering. Paul said, “So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Paul must have realized during his sickness that Christ is Almighty. He understood that he should not depend on his own strength, but on that of the great God Almighty, and not lean on his own understanding of how healing should happen.

What others say is not the final word. Keep trusting in the Lord. He who created you knows your situations more than anyone. Whether we believe God causes us to suffer or not, His grace is sufficient to help us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. It is hard to understand but it is not a cliché. If we glorify sickness or hardship, those things will have victory over us. However, when we glorify the Lord in those times we will see His power at work.

Discussion Question: When I am going through the storm sometimes Scriptures seem hard to understand. However, instead of giving up I wrestle with it until I am comforted. I also sing and listen to praise music during times of wrestling. What are some of the ways you overcome struggles? When or where have you seen God’s grace at work in your life or in the lives of others? What holds us back from trusting and glorifying the Lord in difficult time?