“And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
What’s your problem? We all have problems. Even Paul had problems. Lots of them. When the Lord said the above words to him, it was after Paul pleaded with Him to take away his problem three times. The Bible never tells us exactly what Paul’s big problem was, but what it does tell us is that it must have been so difficult that Paul had to plead with the Lord multiple times. Think for a second what it means to plead. My teenage son twisted his ankle the other day and we made him rest it because it was swollen and very painful. All afternoon he begged and pleaded with me to let him get up and move around. This super-energetic boy desperately wanted to be anywhere but confined to the couch.
One morning recently, I felt like Paul. Once again, I found myself lying on my living room floor feeling sorry for myself, asking God, no, crying to God, “God, why are you allowing me to go through these struggles?” Ever ask that? “Why me?”
It didn’t take long for me to feel the gentle yet stern voice of God in reply. My husband comes home to his family every night. Both of my children have good use of their legs, arms, eyes, ears, and bodies. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. While God allows us to go through trials, and in fact we are promised them, I was reminded that we all have our own problems, and what I am going through must be perfect for me, because His grace is sufficient for me. Just like His grace is sufficient for you and whatever struggle you’re going through right now.
Does It Matter What We Think? We all know the old saying, “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” Did you know it’s actually one of the ten commandments? Now I’m sure some of you, like me, learned the ten commandments as young children and remember them…mostly. The important ones, like, “do not murder,” or “do not steal,” right? Did you remember the tenth commandment—”you shall not covet your neighbor’s house… nor anything that is your neighbor’s?” (Exodus 20:17) I’m sure you might argue that is in the context of his house, his wife, his animals, all his material possessions. Maybe. But I don’t think it’s erroneous to apply it to everything. Including our neighbor’s struggles. Just like my son, when he pleaded with me, I heard him. However, as a parent, I know what’s best for him. God knows what’s best for each one of us and He wants us to grow and develop into the perfect person to carry out His perfect work for us. And that means allowing us all to go through different struggles. James encourages the early church to rejoice when trials come because ultimately, they make us, “perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:3) So I ask you again. What’s your problem? Allow yourself to rest in the fact that God knows your problem and His grace is sufficient for you to help you get through it. Don’t covet your neighbor’s problems, and just keep telling yourself that your trial is making you perfect and complete!
I’d love to hear from you: Have you ever wondered why God allowed you to go through a particular struggle? Have you ever wondered, “why me?”
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