Enough

Enough

I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Is there something you really, really want that you think you can’t live without? Something that you think, If only I had it, I could be happy?

Paul had something he really, really wanted. He asked God three times to take away a “thorn” in his flesh. We don’t know what it was. It might have been something physical, like blindness. It might have been something relational, like a person who always criticized him.

While we don’t know what the problem was, we know how God responded to his request. Jesus spoke to Paul, but he didn’t tell him that he would do what Paul had asked. Instead, Jesus assured him that he would be enough for Paul even if he didn’t remove the thorn.

What Jesus was saying to Paul—and what he says to us—is “If you have me, you have everything you need. In me you will find everything you need to endure anything. I will provide what you need in the form, amount, and timing that you need it. I am enough for you.”

When we start to believe that Jesus is enough for us, we can begin to let go of some of the other things we hold on to for security. We can let go of our fear that somehow we are going to end up cheated or deprived—that someone else is going to get more than we are or that we won’t have what we need to make it in life. If we believe Jesus is enough for us, we don’t have to fear loneliness, weakness, sickness, poverty, or failure. We take him at his word that his gracious favor is all that we need. It will be enough. Jesus is enough.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

Is there anything you think you don’t have enough of right now? Toys? Technology? Savings? Clothes? Affirmation? Respect? Opportunities?

Is there something that feels like a “thorn” in your life—something you want God to take away?

How could it change your circumstances or your attitude about your circumstances to believe that God’s grace is enough for you?