WEBVTT 00:00:08.289 --> 00:00:13.410 Hello, my friends, and welcome back to the Spray UMC podcast. 00:00:14.050 --> 00:00:19.009 I'm your host, Hoyt, and I am grateful that you're here today. 00:00:20.769 --> 00:00:23.649 We live in a world that admires strength. 00:00:23.889 --> 00:00:29.969 We are encouraged to be confident, capable, productive, and independent. 00:00:30.369 --> 00:00:34.770 When someone asks how we're doing, we often say, I'm fine. 00:00:35.090 --> 00:00:41.090 Even when we are exhausted, frightened, hurting, or uncertain. 00:00:42.370 --> 00:00:45.650 Sometimes that pressure follows us into the church. 00:00:46.130 --> 00:00:55.410 We may begin to believe that strong faith means never struggling, never becoming discouraged, and never needing help. 00:00:56.050 --> 00:01:07.969 We may hide our weaknesses because we do not want to disappoint other people, and perhaps because we fear that our struggle somehow disappoints God. 00:01:09.250 --> 00:01:13.250 But Scripture gives us a more honest picture of faith. 00:01:14.930 --> 00:01:18.850 The Apostle Paul was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. 00:01:19.329 --> 00:01:29.490 He preached the gospel, planted churches, endured persecution, and experienced extraordinary revelations from God. 00:01:29.969 --> 00:01:33.170 Yet Paul also spoke openly about weakness. 00:01:33.730 --> 00:01:41.650 He told the church about a burden he could not overcome in a prayer that was not answered in the way he wanted. 00:01:42.850 --> 00:01:47.090 Today we are going to consider a difficult but hopeful question. 00:01:48.530 --> 00:01:57.170 What if weakness is not the place where God abandons us, but the place where we learn how deeply we need his grace? 00:01:59.570 --> 00:02:02.850 Paul described what he called a thorn in the flesh. 00:02:03.170 --> 00:02:05.010 Listen to his words. 00:02:06.370 --> 00:02:21.330 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me, but he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness. 00:02:22.770 --> 00:02:33.490 Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. 00:02:34.129 --> 00:02:44.050 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insult, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties for the sake of Christ. 00:02:44.370 --> 00:02:47.890 For when I am weak, then I am strong. 00:02:55.250 --> 00:02:59.409 The Bible never tells us exactly what Paul's thorn was. 00:03:00.849 --> 00:03:12.610 Christians have suggested a physical illness, a painful limitation, persecution, opposition, or spiritual distress. 00:03:13.569 --> 00:03:19.250 We should resist the temptation to sound certain where scripture remains silent. 00:03:19.969 --> 00:03:25.969 Whatever the thorn was, it was real, it was painful, it persisted. 00:03:26.370 --> 00:03:29.170 Paul did not pretend otherwise. 00:03:29.490 --> 00:03:33.009 He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it. 00:03:33.490 --> 00:03:36.610 That does not sound like a casual request. 00:03:36.930 --> 00:03:41.409 Paul brought his knee before God repeatedly and honestly. 00:03:41.810 --> 00:03:45.409 Asking for relief was not evidence of weak faith. 00:03:45.729 --> 00:03:51.009 It was an act of faith because Paul knew where to take his pain. 00:03:52.370 --> 00:03:58.689 There are moments when Christians feel pressure to make every prayer sound calm and victorious. 00:03:59.490 --> 00:04:06.289 Paul shows us that faithful prayer can also say, Lord, I do not want to carry this. 00:04:06.610 --> 00:04:08.289 Please take it away. 00:04:10.289 --> 00:04:14.849 We do not honor God by pretending that the thorn does not hurt. 00:04:15.090 --> 00:04:19.649 We honor God by bringing the truth into his presence. 00:04:21.329 --> 00:04:24.689 God did not answer Paul in the way Paul requested. 00:04:25.009 --> 00:04:26.930 The thorn remained. 00:04:29.490 --> 00:04:32.769 That can be one of the hardest realities of faith. 00:04:33.089 --> 00:04:37.250 Sometimes we pray and circumstances change. 00:04:37.569 --> 00:04:45.170 Healing comes, a door opens, a relationship is restored, danger passes. 00:04:46.370 --> 00:04:49.250 When that happens, we should give thanks. 00:04:50.850 --> 00:05:02.129 At other times the illness remains, the limitation continues, the grief does not disappear, or the situation refuses to change. 00:05:03.009 --> 00:05:07.889 We pray sincerely, and the answer we wanted does not come. 00:05:09.250 --> 00:05:12.449 We must be careful with one another in those moments. 00:05:12.769 --> 00:05:16.689 An unanswered prayer does not prove that someone lacks faith. 00:05:17.009 --> 00:05:26.370 It does not mean the person used the wrong words, failed to believe strongly enough, or somehow disappointed God. 00:05:28.610 --> 00:05:31.250 Jesus prayed honestly in the garden. 00:05:31.889 --> 00:05:39.569 He asked that the cup of suffering pass from him while surrendering himself to the Father's will. 00:05:40.930 --> 00:05:45.490 Honest desire and faithful surrender can exist within the same prayer. 00:05:47.730 --> 00:05:50.930 Faith does not require us to call suffering good. 00:05:51.250 --> 00:05:56.930 It calls us to trust that God remains good, even when life is painful. 00:05:57.730 --> 00:06:06.930 We may never receive a complete explanation for another person's suffering, and quick explanations can deepen the wound. 00:06:07.490 --> 00:06:16.930 Often, our presence, compassion, and practical help are more faithful than any attempt to explain everything. 00:06:17.810 --> 00:06:24.050 God's refusal to remove a burden does not mean he has refused to remain with us. 00:06:27.810 --> 00:06:30.769 God did not give Paul a full explanation. 00:06:31.170 --> 00:06:33.009 He gave Paul a promise. 00:06:37.250 --> 00:06:40.850 Sufficient grace means grace that is enough for the present need. 00:06:41.170 --> 00:06:44.370 It does not mean that every day feels easy. 00:06:44.689 --> 00:06:54.930 It does not mean that pain disappears, or that fear never returns, or that we never become tired and discouraged. 00:06:56.449 --> 00:07:01.490 Sometimes we want God to give us strength for the entire journey at once. 00:07:01.970 --> 00:07:09.970 We want to know that we can manage tomorrow, next month, and every possibility waiting beyond the horizon. 00:07:10.610 --> 00:07:16.930 But grace often becomes to us one day at a time, and sometimes one hour at a time. 00:07:17.569 --> 00:07:23.569 God may give us strength for the next faithful step rather than a complete map of the road ahead. 00:07:25.170 --> 00:07:29.089 Grace may come through the quiet presence of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:29.490 --> 00:07:33.329 It may come through a passage of Scripture remembered at the right moment. 00:07:34.129 --> 00:07:45.810 A friend who refuses to leave, a church that brings a meal, a nurse who offers kindness, or a doctor who provides wise treatment. 00:07:46.449 --> 00:07:53.009 Grace may come as peace that arise even though the circumstances have not yet changed. 00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:57.649 Receiving medical care is not a failure to trust God. 00:07:58.370 --> 00:08:01.730 Asking for help is not spiritual defeat. 00:08:02.530 --> 00:08:08.050 God regularly works through the knowledge, compassion, and service of other people. 00:08:09.649 --> 00:08:13.810 Sufficient grace is not always grace for the whole journey at once. 00:08:14.290 --> 00:08:16.769 Sometimes it's grace for today. 00:08:19.250 --> 00:08:24.449 God told Paul, my power is perfected in weakness. 00:08:26.129 --> 00:08:33.009 This does not mean that weakness itself is holy or that Christians should pursue suffering. 00:08:33.329 --> 00:08:44.289 It means that weakness exposes the limits of self-reliance and makes room for faithfulness of Christ to become faith visible. 00:08:46.449 --> 00:08:52.209 When everything is going well, we can easily imagine that we are carrying ourselves. 00:08:52.529 --> 00:09:00.769 We trust our plans, abilities, health, resources, and determination. 00:09:02.849 --> 00:09:06.529 Weakness reminds us that these gifts have limits. 00:09:07.329 --> 00:09:10.609 We are creatures, not the creator. 00:09:11.649 --> 00:09:18.049 The cross is the greatest example of God's power appearing through what the world called weakness. 00:09:19.009 --> 00:09:24.209 Jesus did not conquer through domination or worldly force. 00:09:24.529 --> 00:09:28.529 He gave himself in sacrificial love and obedience. 00:09:29.009 --> 00:09:34.689 What appeared to be defeat became the means through which sin and death were overcome. 00:09:35.969 --> 00:09:38.689 Resurrection followed the cross. 00:09:39.649 --> 00:09:43.409 God's power does not always appear as traumatic success. 00:09:44.129 --> 00:09:55.489 It may appear as endurance, patience, faithfulness, courage, forgiveness, or love that survives a painful season. 00:09:55.889 --> 00:10:06.129 It may appear when someone gets out of bed, attends another treatment, asks for help, or chooses hope for one more day. 00:10:07.009 --> 00:10:11.329 God's power is not displayed by proving that we never struggle. 00:10:11.649 --> 00:10:16.609 It is displayed when Christ remains faithful within our struggle. 00:10:18.209 --> 00:10:23.169 For me, weakness is not only a theological idea. 00:10:23.729 --> 00:10:30.929 Three days each week I sit in a dialysis chair while a machine does the work my body can no longer do for itself. 00:10:32.369 --> 00:10:35.729 Some treatments go more smoothly than others. 00:10:36.049 --> 00:10:40.529 There are days when I leave the chair physically tired and emotionally drained. 00:10:41.089 --> 00:10:43.489 The treatment still has to continue. 00:10:43.729 --> 00:10:48.929 There is no dramatic moment when I suddenly become strong enough not to need it. 00:10:49.969 --> 00:10:56.049 I would never tell you that dialysis is easy or that weakness is something I enjoy. 00:10:56.689 --> 00:10:58.689 I pray honestly about it. 00:10:58.929 --> 00:11:05.969 I am grateful for the treatment, but gratitude does not require me to pretend that the burden is light. 00:11:08.209 --> 00:11:12.209 Yet I have also learned that Christ meets me there. 00:11:12.769 --> 00:11:23.809 Grace comes through the people who care for me, through the prayers of others, through a word of encouragement, and through enough strength to take the next step. 00:11:24.529 --> 00:11:29.729 The weakness may remain, but Christ has not abandoned me within it. 00:11:30.289 --> 00:11:33.649 My weakness does not prevent God from being present. 00:11:33.889 --> 00:11:38.289 It makes me more aware of how I deeply I need Him. 00:11:38.769 --> 00:11:40.929 Your thorn may be difficult. 00:11:41.889 --> 00:11:42.849 I'm sorry. 00:11:43.089 --> 00:11:45.569 Your thorn may be different from mine. 00:11:46.209 --> 00:12:02.529 It may be grief, chronic pain, depression, disability, fear, family trouble, loneliness, financial pressure, or a responsibility that has exhausted you. 00:12:02.849 --> 00:12:07.089 Our burdens are not identical, but the promise remains. 00:12:07.569 --> 00:12:13.329 Christ's grace meets us where our strength ends. 00:12:14.369 --> 00:12:17.809 Physical limitation is not spiritual failure. 00:12:18.609 --> 00:12:21.489 Needing rest is not the same as giving up. 00:12:21.809 --> 00:12:25.409 Receiving treatment is not evidence that faith has failed. 00:12:25.729 --> 00:12:34.129 Asking for prayer, counsel, assistance, or companionship can be an act of humility and courage. 00:12:35.009 --> 00:12:39.250 The church should be a place where people can tell the truth about their weakness. 00:12:39.649 --> 00:12:48.209 We should not pressure suffering people to smile, hide their pain, or perform strength for our comfort. 00:12:48.609 --> 00:12:54.289 We are called to carry one another's burdens, not judge one another for having them. 00:12:55.569 --> 00:12:59.250 There is also an important boundary we must state clearly. 00:12:59.729 --> 00:13:10.449 God's strength and weakness must never be used to tell someone to remain in abuse, danger, exploitation, or preventable suffering. 00:13:11.250 --> 00:13:20.369 Seeking safety, justice, medical treatment, counseling, or practical help can be a faithful response. 00:13:20.689 --> 00:13:25.889 Endurance does not mean refusing to help God has placed within reach. 00:13:27.729 --> 00:13:30.609 Paul's weakness taught him dependence upon Christ. 00:13:30.849 --> 00:13:40.209 It did not make him cruelly acceptable, preventable harm, holy, or wise assistance unnecessary. 00:13:41.809 --> 00:13:46.849 If you are facing a place of weakness today, begin by telling God the truth. 00:13:47.169 --> 00:13:48.769 Name the burden. 00:13:49.089 --> 00:13:51.409 Ask for relief without shame. 00:13:51.729 --> 00:13:55.169 You do not need to protect God from your honest prayer. 00:13:56.129 --> 00:13:58.849 Then place the outcome into his hands. 00:13:59.089 --> 00:14:01.329 Receive appropriate help. 00:14:02.049 --> 00:14:05.169 Stop comparing your strength with someone else's. 00:14:05.409 --> 00:14:12.929 Another person's ability does not define what faithfulness looks like in your body or for your circumstances. 00:14:14.129 --> 00:14:18.129 Look for the grace God has already provided today. 00:14:18.609 --> 00:14:24.449 It may not be everything you wanted, but it may be enough for the next faithful step. 00:14:25.250 --> 00:14:33.329 Ask yourself, where am I trying to appear strong when I need to receive God's grace? 00:14:34.769 --> 00:14:39.569 And when you do not know what else to pray, try this simple prayer. 00:14:40.049 --> 00:14:44.289 Lord Jesus, I do not have enough strength for everything before me. 00:14:44.609 --> 00:14:49.169 Give me sufficient grace for the next faithful step. 00:14:51.809 --> 00:14:54.529 Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn. 00:14:54.929 --> 00:14:58.529 The thorn remained, but it did not have the final word. 00:14:59.329 --> 00:15:03.489 Christ's grace was greater than Paul's weakness. 00:15:04.449 --> 00:15:07.169 We do not need to deny our limitations. 00:15:07.649 --> 00:15:10.609 We can bring them honestly before Jesus. 00:15:10.929 --> 00:15:16.289 God may reveal his power by removing the burden, and when he does, we give thanks. 00:15:16.929 --> 00:15:22.769 God may also reveal his power by sustaining us beneath the burden that remains. 00:15:23.729 --> 00:15:28.769 In either case, our hope rests in Christ rather than our own strength. 00:15:29.009 --> 00:15:33.329 When our strength comes to an end, God's grace does not. 00:15:33.809 --> 00:15:42.449 His power is made perfect, not in the strength we pretend to possess, but in the weakness we honestly place into his hand. 00:15:44.289 --> 00:15:45.809 Let us pray. 00:15:46.449 --> 00:15:54.049 Lord Jesus, you know every weakness we carry and every burden we have asked you to remove. 00:15:54.689 --> 00:16:00.289 Give us courage to pray honestly and faith to trust you with the answer. 00:16:01.409 --> 00:16:08.129 Keep us from believing that weakness means failure or that suffering proves that we have too little faith. 00:16:08.929 --> 00:16:17.089 Be near to those who are ill, exhausted, frightened, grieving, or discouraged. 00:16:17.489 --> 00:16:22.049 Lead them toward the care, safety, and help they need. 00:16:23.649 --> 00:16:27.569 When you remove a burden, teach us to give thanks. 00:16:28.049 --> 00:16:35.009 When the burden remains, give us sufficient grace for the next faithful step. 00:16:35.969 --> 00:16:43.809 Let your strength be revealed within our weakness, and remind us that nothing we face can separate us from your love. 00:16:44.529 --> 00:16:46.849 In your holy name we pray. 00:16:47.409 --> 00:16:48.049 Amen. 00:16:49.969 --> 00:16:57.250 Before we close, I want to let you know about my book, The Apostles' Creed, is available on Amazon. 00:16:57.729 --> 00:17:07.890 In this short, scripture-centered book, we slow down and consider what the familiar words of the Creed mean for our faith and daily lives. 00:17:08.289 --> 00:17:13.169 My prayer is that it will help you know and love Jesus Christ more deeply. 00:17:13.490 --> 00:17:18.049 You can find the Apostles' Creed by searching for my name, Hoyt S. 00:17:18.129 --> 00:17:20.929 Barrett Jr., on Amazon. 00:17:22.690 --> 00:17:24.929 Thank you for joining me today. 00:17:25.250 --> 00:17:37.490 If you do not have a church home, we would love to have you worship with us at Spray United Methodist Church, located at 803 Morgan Road in Eden, North Carolina. 00:17:37.809 --> 00:17:42.690 We are a loving church where we love God and love people, all people. 00:17:43.649 --> 00:17:49.649 Until next time, may the grace of God rise before you and keep you safe. 00:17:50.529 --> 00:17:51.649 Goodbye.