When I Am Weak

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.  And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.  Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,  or because of these surpassingly great revelations.  2 Corinthians 12:1-7a

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  2 Corinthians 12:7b-8

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to  me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:8-9a  

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9b-10

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…  Ephesians 2:4

A Prayer of Weakness & Strength   “God, I can’t… But You can… Please help!”