Unless we are pointing People to the Living water (John 7:37-39), we are nothing but a dry desert! By Dr. Frank J. DeLeo

Why Does God Allow Weakness?

In chapter 12, Paul reveals a deeply personal struggle—his “thorn in the flesh.” He pleaded with God three times to remove it, but God’s response was profound: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This thorn served several purposes:

It kept Paul from exalting himself

It was intentionally given by God

It was described as “a messenger of Satan”

It was meant to torment him

Why would God allow such suffering? Because sometimes our greatest limitations become our greatest ministry opportunities. Our weaknesses prevent us from becoming something God knows would be harmful to us or others.

Whenever we feel overwhelmed or broken in spirit, we must remember that our greatest challenges often lead to our greatest victories. If God can use Moses, David, Daniel, the disciples, and Paul, he can use us. What they had that we need is confidence; confidence to stand in the middle of the fire and realize that we are not alone. When we look around us, we find brothers and sisters who are there to support us, cheer us on, and stand in the fire with us, knowing the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. He gets the victory.