“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-8, Paul tells us he has a “thorn in my flesh”. It’s not a real thorn, but maybe a medical problem, we aren’t told for sure. Paul asks Jesus three different times to take it away, to cure him. But in our verse for today, Jesus tells Paul that His grace is enough. He doesn’t cure Paul. But Jesus gives Paul the strength to deal with it. When we are weak, Jesus gives us His power and strength. Jesus can shine through us.

Most of the time we don’t like to let people know that we are weak. We want to be strong and brave and independent all the time, but most of us aren’t. We all have weaknesses, even if we try to hide it. But Paul says he will boast about his weaknesses, he’ll tell everyone, so that people can see Jesus’ power in him.

I am going to be like Paul today. I am going to boast about one of my weaknesses. Not so much about me, but about how when I am weak, Jesus is strong. He gives me strength.  When I lay down in bed but can’t go to sleep right away, I start to think. I start out thinking about my family and my kids, I think about tomorrow and all I have to do, and I think about “what if’s”. Not good.

I start to worry, big time. What if my son doesn’t pass his math test? What if my daughter doesn’t make friends in her new class? What if we have an accident on the way to school? Too many what if’s and I’m past worried to fearful and anxious. And now I can’t sleep at all. The fear grips me because I know that I can’t keep bad things from happening.

But then I stop, and take a deep breath. I remind myself that Jesus is in control. I stop the what if’s. I stop, and thank Jesus for my family. I stop, and thank Him for all the blessings in my life. I stop and thank Him for all the prayers He has already answered. I stop, and ask Jesus to take care of my family and friends. I stop being fearful because I’ve asked Jesus to take care of all the things I can’t control. Whew! And now I have peace and strength from Jesus so I can sleep.

This week, do you have weaknesses, worries, illnesses, or other problems that you can’t seem to handle on your own? Talk to your parents. And then, with your parents, talk to Jesus. Ask for His strength to help you get through, whatever your weakness. Feel Jesus with you, just as He promises. Because when we are weak, Jesus is strong for us.

Blessings and strength with Jesus!