“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
Jesus never pretended that following Him would mean a life without hardship. But He did promise this: “My grace is sufficient for you.” That’s what He told Paul in the middle of Paul’s personal battle—words that still ring with power for you today.
Paul wasn’t talking about a physical sickness or random suffering. He clearly said his “thorn” was a messenger from Satan, sent to buffet him through persecution. It wasn’t from God to perfect Paul—it was from the enemy to stop him. But God’s response was not to remove the pressure—it was to strengthen Paul with grace to overcome.
Paul had learned a secret: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” He wasn’t glorifying weakness—he was magnifying grace. He discovered that God’s power flows through surrendered hearts.
Some have misunderstood Paul’s words and teach that we should yield to suffering, as if it’s the tool God uses to perfect us. But that kind of thinking causes people to agree with trouble instead of resisting in faith. Sickness, persecution, physical and emotional weakness are not what perfect us—standing on God's Word through life's trials is.
Grace shines brightest in weakness. But don’t confuse yielding to God with yielding to the problem. God gives more grace (His ability) to the humble—those who lean on Him. When we live a surrendered, yielded life to God, His strength flows freely to us.
Whatever trial you’re facing, persecution you’re enduring, or pressure you’re under—don’t give up. Don’t let go of the Word. Keep His promises in front of your eyes, in your ears, and on your tongue. Stay fully persuaded. That’s where strength comes from—the kind that endures and brings breakthrough.
You are not a burden to God. You are a vessel for His power. Let His grace do what only it can do.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Jesus never pretended that following Him would mean a life without hardship. But He did promise this: “My grace is sufficient for you.” That’s what He told Paul in the middle of Paul’s personal battle—words that still ring with power for you today.
Paul wasn’t talking about a physical sickness or random suffering. He clearly said his “thorn” was a messenger from Satan, sent to buffet him through persecution. It wasn’t from God to perfect Paul—it was from the enemy to stop him. But God’s response was not to remove the pressure—it was to strengthen Paul with grace to overcome.
Paul had learned a secret: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” He wasn’t glorifying weakness—he was magnifying grace. He discovered that God’s power flows through surrendered hearts.
Some have misunderstood Paul’s words and teach that we should yield to suffering, as if it’s the tool God uses to perfect us. But that kind of thinking causes people to agree with trouble instead of resisting in faith. Sickness, persecution, physical and emotional weakness are not what perfect us—standing on God's Word through life's trials is.
Grace shines brightest in weakness. But don’t confuse yielding to God with yielding to the problem. God gives more grace (His ability) to the humble—those who lean on Him. When we live a surrendered, yielded life to God, His strength flows freely to us.
Whatever trial you’re facing, persecution you’re enduring, or pressure you’re under—don’t give up. Don’t let go of the Word. Keep His promises in front of your eyes, in your ears, and on your tongue. Stay fully persuaded. That’s where strength comes from—the kind that endures and brings breakthrough.
You are not a burden to God. You are a vessel for His power. Let His grace do what only it can do.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Posted in Living with Hope
Pastor Kevin Casey
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2026
January
Day 1: Knowing Jesus is Eternal LifeDay 2: That I May Know HimDay 3: The Supremacy of ChristDay 4: Christ the FoundationDay 5: Forgiven CompletelyDay 6: Forgive as You’ve Been ForgivenDay 7: A New CreationDay 8: Righteous by FaithDay 9: Adopted and ChosenDay 10: Accepted in the BelovedDay 11: Seated with ChristDay 12: God’s WorkmanshipDay 13: Nothing Can Separate YouDay 14: Christ in You, the Hope of GloryDay 15: The Mind of ChristDay 16: The Image of God RestoredDay 17: Grace That TeachesDay 18: The Measure of FaithDay 19: Faith Works by LoveDay 20: The Faith of the Son of GodDay 21: The Crucified LifeDay 22: Renew Your MindDay 23: Take Every Thought CaptiveDay 24: Think on These ThingsDay 25: Be Spiritually Minded
February
Day 26: Press Toward the GoalDay 27: Led by the SpiritDay 28: Walk in the SpiritDay 29: Spirit of Power, Love, and Sound MindDay 30: Empowered From On HighDay 31: Healing Is in the AtonementDay 32: Minister Healing to OthersDay 33: Pray in the SpiritDay 34: The Spirit Helps Our WeaknessDay 35: Be Filled ContinuouslyDay 36: Gifts of the SpiritDay 37: Spirit-Led MinistryDay 38: Fruit of the SpiritDay 39: The Spirit Bears WitnessDay 40: Walk Worthy of Your CallingDay 41: Love Is the GreatestDay 42: Unity of the SpiritDay 43: Forgive One AnotherDay 44: Serve in LoveDay 45: Bear One Another’s BurdensDay 46: Honor Others Above YourselfDay 47: Godly RelationshipsDay 48: Love in the HomeDay 49: Hospitality and GenerosityDay 50: Giving and GenerosityDay 51: Pray Without Ceasing Day 52: Seated with Christ in AuthorityDay 53: Reigning in Life Through Christ
March
Day 54: Put on the Armor — Stand in VictoryDay 55: Life Is a MissionDay 56: Ambassadors for ChristDay 57: Share Your StoryDay 58: Not Ashamed of the GospelDay 59: Make Disciples Who MultiplyDay 60: Redeem the TimeDay 61: Open Doors and Bold SpeechDay 62: Witness to, Honor, and Pray for IsraelDay 63: Suffer for the GospelDay 64: Strength in WeaknessDay 65: Don’t Lose HeartDay 66: Our Light and Momentary TroublesDay 67: Set Your Mind on EternityDay 68: Death, Grief, and Eternal Hope