Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh – God’s Strength in Weakness

Scripture Focus

"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. 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 12:9-10

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."— Psalm 28:7

Devotional Reflection

Paul’s life was marked by extraordinary faith, but it was not without suffering. He spoke of a “thorn in the flesh”—a persistent struggle that he pleaded with God to remove. Yet, instead of taking it away, God responded with grace: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

This is not the answer we often want. We long for God to remove our hardships, to take away the burdens that feel too heavy to carry. But sometimes, instead of removing the trial, God meets us in it.

Weakness is not something to fear or hide. Paul did not see his thorn as a limitation, but as an opportunity to experience the power of Christ in a deeper way. Our greatest strength is not in our own ability, but in our dependence on God.

If you are facing a struggle that feels unrelenting, hear these words today: His grace is sufficient. You do not need to be strong on your own. God’s power shines brightest through surrendered weakness. Let Him be your strength.

Inhale Truth, Exhale Trust

Breath Prayer: (Inhale) Lord, Your grace is enough for me. (Exhale) In my weakness, You are strong.

How to Practice a Breath Prayer:

Breathe in deeply, receiving God’s grace. As you exhale, surrender your weakness into His hands, trusting that His power is at work in you.

Practical Application

• Identify Your Thorn. What challenge in your life feels persistent and unchanging? Ask God to show you His grace in it.

• Rethink Weakness. Instead of viewing your limitations as obstacles, see them as opportunities to depend more fully on Christ.

• Rest in His Strength. When you feel weary, pause and pray, asking God to sustain you with His power instead of your own.

Journal Prompt

How might God be using your weaknesses to reveal His strength? In what areas of your life do you need to rely more fully on His grace?

Closing Prayer

Lord, I often long for You to take away my struggles, yet I see in Your Word that sometimes You meet me in them instead. Help me to trust that Your grace is enough. When I am weak, remind me that I do not stand on my own—I stand in Your strength. Teach me to boast not in my abilities, but in Your power at work in me. Amen.

Invitation to Live with Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

Weakness is not the end of your story—it is the place where God’s strength shines through. Today, lean into His grace, knowing that when you are weak, He is strong.