On my first day at seminary, it took me several minutes to introduce myself. But it wasn’t because I had forgotten my name.
For twenty years, I have stuttered. I know precisely what I wish to say, but the muscles in my throat often lock up, and no words come out. My stuttering has often impacted me when introducing myself. Many people do not care that I stutter. Still, struggling to do something ninety-nine percent of people take for granted humiliates me.
Scripture does not reveal what Paul’s thorn was. It could have been a physical, mental, or spiritual hardship. But it affected Paul so much that he asked the Lord three times to remove it. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 tells us the Lord’s answer: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
Paul’s thorn allowed God to display His grace and power. A more startling statement may not exist in Scripture. Much of modern society rewards strengths, such as charisma and academic excellence, but looks down on weaknesses. The Lord flips that notion on its head.
I have never boasted about my stuttering. I often view it as a humiliating weakness and plead with the Lord to take it away. Yet Paul shows all Christians the proper response to our weaknesses: boast in the Lord because human weaknesses are opportunities for God to show His grace and power. When I counsel or evangelize someone haltingly, any fruit is from the Lord alone.
Don’t be ashamed of your weaknesses. Remember the Lord’s words, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and athree23.)
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Matthew Cedar graduated Dallas Theological Seminary with a ThM in historical theology in 2022. He hopes to pursue further education in church history and to research and write on history, baseball, politics, theology, and anything else that catches his interest. He resides in Dallas, Texas.