Learning to apply grace to your life

2 Corinthians 12:7–10
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul shares a personal encounter with God during a difficult time in his life. He was facing something that must have felt impossible. It was so overwhelming that he pleaded with God to remove it from his life. He described this reality as “a thorn in the flesh.”

We don’t really know exactly what Paul was dealing with, but it seems to have been physical on one level and spiritual on another. He also described it as a “messenger from Satan” sent to harass him. In other words, there was a real affliction, coupled with a real spiritual attack. No doubt, satan was taking advantage of this physical weakness.

Paul says, “Three times I pleaded with God.” He wasn’t casually praying—he was begging. He was crying out. He was desperate for relief. And yet, God did not give him the answer he wanted. But God did answer.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

That answer is a direct our response to our question, Grace, where are you?

Because when we are hurting, overwhelmed, or stuck in something we can’t fix, grace isn't always obvious. We may expect grace to look like escape. We expect it to show up as healing, breakthrough, or immediate change. But Paul’s experience shows us that grace often shows up in ways we don't expect.

Grace didn’t remove the thorn. Grace showed up in the middle of it. Grace didn’t cancel the weakness. Grace supported it. Grace didn’t change Paul’s circumstances. Grace changed what Paul could carry in those circumstances.

So where is grace?

Grace is found in the strength to endure what hasn’t changed. Grace is found in the ability to keep showing up even when prayers feel unanswered. Grace is found in getting up each day when you don’t see clear progress, but you still choose to trust God. Grace is found in walking through sickness, disappointment, hardship, and uncertainty while believing that God is still present and still working.

Paul came to realize that God’s power does not rest on human strength. It rests on human weakness. Grace works best where we admit we don’t have what it takes on our own. Grace speaks to the connection between what we can't handle and what life demands of us.

So when you find yourself asking, “Grace, where are you?” the answer may be simpler than you think. Grace is not coming to fix your problem. Grace is already here, sustaining you to walk through the problem. God doesn't always send grace to remove the struggle, but grace shows up to compensate for your weakness in the struggle.

Grace may not remove the battle.
But the promise is that grace will keep you in the fight—until God wins! Remember, if God be for you, who can be against you?

Where is grace? Examine your unanswered prayers, and you will probably find it at work, even if it isn't obvious at first.