Sufficient Grace

By Laura Kuhns

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I love this passage. I have come back to it over and over again throughout my 20 years on this earth. My life seems to fall into a continuous pattern of failed attempts, uncertainty and sorrow. But every time I find myself in a struggle once again, the Lord brings me back to this passage.

Look at what Jesus says here: “My grace is sufficient for you.”

His grace is sufficient for me; not overly sufficient and definitely not insufficient. His grace is sufficient for me in every moment, and it’s always just what I need at that moment. His grace does not tarry; it does not come even a moment too late.

Believe me, your Heavenly Father sees exactly where you are and what you need for the very situation you find yourself in. I promise He has not turned His head away. His eyes are still focused on you and His hands are waiting for just the right moment to sweep in and cover you with grace. He has not lost control. He is still sovereign and He is still very present in your life.

Because His grace is sufficient and it always comes at just the right time, we can boast in our weaknesses and in our struggles, knowing that He will not delay even one moment too long.

I know it might seem like a strange concept, but we really can face our struggles and our trials with joy, gladness and even contentment, knowing that God’s grace is made perfect in those times of confusion and despair.

My favorite line of the passage is the last one. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I love it because, by adding one simple word, the passage can be changed to say, “For when I am weak, then I AM is strong.”

Essentially, when I am at the end of my rope, when all my strength is gone, and when I have nowhere to turn, YAHWEH, my God, the great I AM, is made strong and His power can be displayed in my life.

So, what it comes down to is this: my struggles are the doorway to God using my life to its utmost potential.

When I can no longer fight against Him, when I have no idea what I believe or what I should do, then there is nothing standing in His way and He is able to effectively use the situation I am in.

I know, it’s much easier said than done, and the view from your knees or even flat on the floor doesn’t seem to offer much hope of a saving grace. But I promise it’s there and it’s coming.

I know the truth. The truth that the Lord has heard every prayer you have uttered. He sees the tears on your cheeks and He understands the deep sorrow your heart is in.

Trust me. He is never late and His love for you has not run dry.

Hang in there and don’t give up. Always remember that His grace is sufficient for you.

I know sometimes it’s hard to wait for it, and it may even seem as if He is slow in responding, but our God does not delay, He is always punctual and His timing is never anything short of perfect. Though it may be hard to believe, He will come in and save you.