My Grace is Sufficient For You

I decided to exegete a scripture I felt I already knew, but could definitely use a reminder on

 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong
2 Cor 12:7-10

Thorn – The Greek word is “skolops” and it means a sharp stake or splinter. Imagine when a splinter is in your foot, it is the most painful and uncomfortable situation.

Messenger – Greek word “aggelos” and it means one sent with a purpose or intent

Buffet – Greek word “kolaphizo” meaning to maltreat or treat violently, or to strike with a fist, or to punch someone

Grace – Greek word “charis” refers to a gratifying manner or act (it could be abstract or concrete, literal, figurative or spiritual)

Sufficient – Greek “arkeo” meaning unfailing strength, to be enough, to defend, to ward off. To be satisfied, to be contented.

Perfect – “Teleioo” meaning to complete, to carry through completely, to accomplish.

Weakness – Greek “astheneia”. In regards to the body, it means feebleness of health or sickness, In regards to the soul, lacking the strength to understand, to do great things, to restrain corrupt desires, to bear trials and troubles.

So if I was to paraphrase the above scripture with the context of the original Greek words used, and into our context, it would read something like this:

Lest I should be exalted by the revelations and spiritual accomplishments I have received from God, a sharp painful splinter was figuratively placed in my life, sent by Satan to punch, maltreat and torture me. I begged and begged God to remove this thing from my life, but instead he said his grace to gratify and satisfy is more than enough to sustain, defend and ward off this painful splinter in my life. For his strength (ability and power) will complete me and bring my situation to a place of accomplishment. If this is the case, then I would rather acknowledge my weaknesses openly (boast about them), rather than hide and repress them, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Another casualty to suicide

I was really shocked when I read that Lee Thompson Young had committed suicide. I wouldnt say I was a fan of his, but I was impressed to see a young brother chasing his dream and being successful at it; and he appeared as regular and "normal" as any person you could meet. It hurt, even though I don't know him, because I could only imagine what inner demons and trauma he wrestled with that made him conclude that self annihilation was the only route to go

And of course, I empathized more, because I have been there. I know what it feels like to hear the seducing allure claiming death is the only solution; I know what it feels like for hopelessness, despair and despondence to be so overwhelming that the mind literally shuts down. I know the sweet promise of escape that's hoped for as one thinks of foolproof ways to do this. I am one of the lucky few who can say I attempted suicide three times, and failed (with side effects of a nervous breakdown, being a coma for a week, and hospitalized all three times).

As usual, everyone who knows him says he appeared like everything was going well and great with him, and of course he left no suicide note, so no one has an idea what internal horrors he was dealing with. But usually, isnt that what people always say? Most people weave up a well crafted facade to mask the turmoil brewing and seething beneath the surface, waiting to erupt.

"Lord, I pray for anyone who is reading this and is having suicidal thoughts, or is connected to someone having these, especially those who have mastered the art of presenting a perfect and sedate facade. I pray that your Spirit will minister to them in ways only you can. If you rescued me three times when I was blinded by my trauma and pain, I know you can do much more for thousands of others. Lord, I pray your Spirit will lead us to be more sensitive and discerning to the pains people are going thru, even when they camouflage it perfectly, and we receive the GRACE to minister to them in ways that will alleviate their pains - no judgment, condemnation, laws, religion or rhetoric, but the life saving and transforming power of the gospel, and the anointing that breaks the yoke. In Jesus name we pray"

Please share this post with friends, and anyone having suicidal thoughts or tendencies, please don't hesitate to send me an email - kennethtamara@yahoo.com

I don't have all the answers, but I do empathize and understand, and I know resources I could point you towards.

TO BE REAL OR NOT TO BE REAL

Isn't it amazing how some of us Christians often whine about how we prefer people in church to be real, and how tired we are of people acting "holier-than-thou"? Yet in the same vein, when leaders suddenly are human and "real", it freaks people out? It is as if we want our leaders to be inhuman and have no frailty. We demand that they be the same supermen they are at the pulpit 24/7 of their lives - no cracking jokes or being silly. And some leaders have committed themselves to living up to the facade they created.

I recently had someone rebuke me for not sticking to the image he created of me. I was human and real with my frailty, and it upset him that I was shattering the mold he was intending to imprison me into. In my younger years, I probably would have lived my life trying to measure up to the hype, or trying to be the expectation people had of me. But I have been set free from living for people. I live with God as my audience

"He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me" - 2 Cor 12:9

Therefore I will live to be who God says I am, and let his anointing work through me, recognizing that it his anointing accomplishing his work through me, and will not attempt to be what anyone attempts to mold me into. I am who I am in Christ