I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 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. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 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, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

The “power” verse in this passage, of course, is verse nine. We read all the words, but we don’t quite understand it. How is His power made perfect in weakness? Logically speaking, if we are doing things under our own strength, why do we need a Savior? Most of the world acts under their own accord. Just today I saw a tweet on Twitter that said, “The National Anthem of Hell is ‘I Did it My Way.’”

The “grace” part comes into play whether we’re in trouble or in smooth waters. His grace is more pronounced when we are in deep trouble. Paraphrased I take this statement to mean, “no matter what you go through, I can see you through.” That’s what grace is all about. We just need to hand over our weakness. Not being able to hand over our weakness for most of us is a weakness onto itself.