Cloak of Limitations

Wearing the Superman capes and matching Underoos® gave the two little boys a semblance of the superhero’s powers, but their “super strength” left them when the costumes came off.

The apostle Paul faithfully served God, imitating Jesus. Yet when he asked the Lord to deliver him of a disorder referred to as “a thorn in the flesh,” there was only silence. Finally, after his third plea for deliverance, Jesus replied His power worked best through weakness, and His grace was enough. Healing or bolstered strength was not Paul’s answer, but yielding to and trusting the One who supplies everything we need.

Jesus was Paul’s strength in life’s challenges and wants to be your strength. But you must first acknowledge and surrender to the fact that you need help, the kind only God can supply. Paul said he took pleasure in insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles for the power of Christ to work through him. Will you trust Jesus’ strength “is made perfect” in and through your weakness? Like Paul, can you say, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10)? Then, when your superhero cape comes off, Jesus’ grace is sufficient for all your needs as He works through your surrendered limitations.