GOD HURTS TO HELP.

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, FOR THIS REASON, to keep me from exalting myself there  was given me a thorn…”

 

Troubles are to be a springboard for us to talk to Jesus! Anything “bad” that happens we often blame the devil. But God was behind the thorn for Paul, not to do him harm but to help him. The “thorn,” was not for punishment but for prevention! To help him…

 • Help him that he would not fall to spiritual pride.

• Help him so that he would look to Jesus in prayer.

• Help him to understand that the Lord had said to him, “my grace is sufficient for you, power is made perfect in weakness.”

• Help him to know Jesus would give him Himself.

• Help him to pour grace into his life. That favor, kindness bestowed upon him to influence his life.

• Help to know that Paul’s weakness was not the way it would end, but that Jesus would supply power for weakness.

• Paul was helped greatly through his hurt.

• He was helped to such an extent he gloried in his weakness, because of the power of Christ that supernaturally strengthens him. Power greater than pain! {v 10}

 GOD’S HOPE IN HURT.

“God gave Paul, Himself and a PROMISE….“My Grace is sufficient for you, power made perfect in weakness.”

… he was content, gloried, “with weakness, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties” {v10}. Why? “…for Christ sake!” He suffered and knew he could because Jesus was his helper, his power, his boast, his contentment, and he concluded this wonderful statement of faith, “when I am weak then I am strong.” His awareness of weakness led him to run to the One who could strengthen him supernaturally, not only to clarify the purpose of the “thorn” and accept the “thorn,” but also to glory in his circumstance, because of the Lord Jesus! Wow- only God could do this, and do it He did. God Gives Hope and perspective in pain.

GOD OFFERS HELP and HOPE TO YOU IN YOUR PAIN!