Sufficient for Them as Well

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (King James Version)

When my youngest brother died of Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 9, God’s grace was sufficient. When my mom passed away in a car accident in February of 2000 and left me with the crushing pain of feeling orphaned, His grace was sufficient. When I was asked to resign from teaching and found myself on the outside of a group that once welcomed me, His grace was sufficient. When a mentor saw the necessity to sever a relationship with me and I was not sure I would ever recover from the heartbreak, His grace was sufficient. When my own weaknesses and failures have haunted and taunted me in overwhelming measures, His grace continues to be sufficient.

I need those reminders this morning. Not for myself per se, but for people I love and care for deeply who experience their own heartaches, disappointments, and grief. I want so badly to change the scenarios of their life. I want to take away the pain, make things right, and cause each day to be encouraging for them. I don’t want them to hurt or be sad. I don’t want anyone to mistreat them or be unsupportive of them. Basically, I want only good to come to them.

Yet, if what I wanted came to pass, what Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians 12:9 would not be their reality. They would not be made strong in their weaknesses. The power of Christ would not rest on them in their infirmities. They would not grow as Christians or deepen their walk with God. They would not see their dependency upon Christ increase. They would not experience God birthing ministry out of their difficulties. They would not seek God’s face, heart, or hands in quite the same way as they do now. They would not have the compassion for others in need. They would be comfortable but no longer striving to be conformed to the image of Christ.

It is imperative that I desire for those I love the same things that God desires for them. To see that God is working all things out for their good and His glory. To see that God has a purpose for allowing the things in their life that I would so easily want removed. The difficulties of their life are truly the chisels He uses to shape and mold them into a masterpiece. Eternity will reveal all that He accomplished for and through them. Until that time, I must speak over their life, “Not my will but yours be done, O, Lord.”

Father, I hurt for others this morning. Thank you for reminding me that they are more precious to You than they are even to me. Thank you for what You are doing out of love. I love them as I entrust them to You. For them Your grace is sufficient! Amen.

His Strength is Perfect - Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC_lld_vUCY

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.