A Powerful Wimp

Our overall theme of the night was Experiencing and Embracing becoming a “new person” through the process of refinement. 

In my opinion, last night’s lesson was one of those that if you “get it,” you get it.  And if you don’t, well, you’ll continue to struggle until you do “get it.” 

We worked through the “Diary of a Wimpy Apostle” in 2Corthians 12.1-10

In verse 7, Paul states he was “given a thorn.”   What was Paul’s thorn?  No one knows but hundreds of people have tried to figure it out. 

All of us have been given a “thorn” – our addiction.  

Is addiction choice, genetic, or psychological?  Yes – it is.  All three.  Some addicts have made some very poor choices.  Other addicts have psychological problems that must be addressed.  Others are genetically disposed to become an addict.   Some may be predisposed; no one is predetermined to remain an addict! 

Why was Paul given his “thorn”?  To keep him from becoming proud. 

2 Corinthians 11 and the first part of 12 record all of Paul’s trials that he endured; amazing revelations he had,  and spiritual experiences he encountered that were beyond description.  Based on all the trials he encountered, it would have been easy for Paul to slip into an “I deserve better than this” mode.  Or to go another direction and say “Look at me – I did all this – what wonderful things I’ve accomplished – on my own.”  But his “thorn” kept him grounded; recognizing that He could accomplish NOTHING on his own.

In verse 8 Paul states that he begged the Lord three times to take it [the thorn] away.  When I first read that, I called Paul a “Wimp.”  I cried out more than three times a day for months asking God to take away my addiction.  Every addict I know of has cried out, “Take this away.”  

Every time Paul cried out he got the same answer (v. 9) – “My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness.”

Paul then goes on to say he boasts about his weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through him.  Then he lists a bunch of reasons for most addicts to relapse!  J

He concludes these two chapters by stating, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

This is one of the life lessons that if you “get it,” you “get it.”  If you don’t, you’ll continue to struggle.  You have to surrender your entire body, soul, and spirit to Christ.  For when YOU are weak, then YOU are strong. 

Most of us have to get rid of our victim mentality.  At some point in everyone’s life they’ve been told “no,” been disappointed, discouraged, hurt, wounded, emotionally scared.  And you didn’t deserve it… no one does.  But to choose to live there is a really bad choice on your part.  Can you move beyond the hurt?  No… YOU can’t or you would have already!  Remember, Christ’s power works best in weakness.  “I can’t but with Your power, I can.”

You can’t stay clean and sober on your own!  Whether you’re predisposed, have psychological issues or have made some really bad choices, you can’t stay clean on your own.  When you admit you are weak then you become strong and through the power of Christ, you can stay clean and sober. 

When you are weak – when you admit that incredible fact and apply to every aspect of your life – relationships , marriage, character development – Jesus has the grace and the power to change you from the inside out and to change the way you live life!