2 Corinthians 12. We are given several additional glimpses into the life and ministry of Paul in this section of 2 Corinthians. He has previously detailed his education, his many sufferings and challenging moments, and his great labor of love for the church.

Now we learn that Paul (who for some reason switches to the third person in the narrative) had some extraordinary moments of revelation from God. He writes that fourteen years ago he was caught up into the third heaven… into paradise… and heard things which cannot be told (12:2-4). If we consider Paul’s extraordinary revelation and all the miracles God worked through him, all the times he was delivered through crazy hardships, and more – it would be easy to see how Paul might be tempted to think he was a bit extra special in the eyes of God. Yet we are warned do not think more highly of yourselves than you ought but think of yourselves with sober judgement (Romans 12:3).

In Paul’s case, we discover that God allowed a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming conceited (12:7). We do not know what this thorn in the flesh was exactly – theories include physical ailments or specific temptations or limitations he may have faced. I believe that God did not want us to know exactly what it was, simply because that makes it more relatable for all of us. Simply put, Paul had some weakness that really frustrated him and kept him humble.

What was Paul’s response to this weakness? Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me (12:8). He begged God to take it away, to heal him, to deliver him. Asking God to intervene is a normal and acceptable response to weaknesses and frustrations.

Yet God did not intervene. Can you imagine Paul – the one through whom God healed people and raised others from the dead – being frustrated that God said “no” to healing him? That might have been a challenging thing for Paul to accept. Instead, God told Paul my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (12:9). Paul accepted that this limitation was from God, and he freely admitted how God was working even more powerfully through him because of his limitations.

We are reminded of our continual reliance on God for all things, and of our need for humility and grace. Suffering can be a work of transformation in the life of a Christian, as we are driven to depend on God in ways we did not previously imagine.

Have you ever been frustrated with a weakness, limitation, injury, or illness? How did it humble you? Did you have to learn to rely on other people and on God in new ways? How did God provide for you, and what did you learn through the situation? His grace is sufficient.