What's Grace Got To Do With It

His grace will always be greater than your circumstances.

 by: chioma anuebunwa, director of student support

Have you ever had a problem that just won’t go away? A health issue, a persistent sin, a difficult neighbor, or a child struggling in school? Chances are, if you’ve ever faced such a problem, you’ve tried everything to make it disappear. You may have complained, prayed, or brainstormed with loved ones, only to find that the problem remained. You are not alone. The Apostle Paul experienced a similar struggle, what he called a “thorn in his flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

My Grace is Sufficient for You

Scripture tells us that Paul pleaded with God three times to take away this thorn, yet God chose not to remove it. Let’s remember who Paul was: the man who encountered the risen Christ and was struck blind for three days, only for his sight to be miraculously restored (Acts 9:1–9). This is the same Paul who raised a man from the dead after he fell from a third-story window (Acts 20:7–12), cast out demons (Acts 16:16–18), endured imprisonment for the gospel, and wrote more than half of the New Testament. The book of Philippians, often called the happiest book in the Bible, was written by Paul from prison, where he identified himself as a bondservant of Christ.

Yet when this mighty man of God prayed three times for relief, God responded:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:7–9).

His Grace is Greater

Because of our sin nature, we are all vulnerable to challenges that feel like a thorn in the flesh. Whether it’s a struggling child, illness in the family, financial hardship, or a personal battle with sin, such trials can weigh heavily on us. But when you have prayed and the problem persists, rest in God’s assurance that His grace is always sufficient. Trust that His power is perfected in your weakness. His grace will always be greater than your circumstances.

As Paul reminds us, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20–21). You too will testify that His grace abounded for you in your difficult times. No matter what the “thorn” in your flesh looks like, trust God - yes, trust Him completely - and watch His grace overflow in your life.