God's Grace is Enough

We have all felt rejection at one time or another. I know what it feels like to be rejected. I am totally blind. I have felt rejected by church committees. When I was a child, I sometimes felt rejected by other children. As a minister, I have even felt rejection by other ministers. Rejection hurts, especially when you can do nothing about the reason for that rejection. At times, the apostle Paul felt rejection. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, we learn that Paul had a "thron in the flesh." We don't know what this affliction was. We don't even know whether it was physical, emotional, or psychological. We do know however that it caused some people to reject Paul, to question his apostolic authority and to undermine his ministry. Paul asked the Lord on three different occasions to remove this thorn in the flesh; but God reminded the apostle that the grace of God was sufficient. God's grace is enough. There are reasons that God gives us certain situationswith which we hvae to deal. There were reasons in the case of Paul why this "thorn in the flesh" was necessary. But right now, the point I want to make is that God will give us the strength and the grace to deal with our difficulty. Many who read this may be feeling rejected right now. You may be dealing with a particularly unpleasant difficulty--divorce, grief, sickness, loneliness, a physical handicap or emotional upheaval. It would be wonderful if we never had any doubts, if our faith never wavered and our purpose and focus were always clear. Often, however, the way is not always clear. We're not always sure that we're loved. We feel unworthy, confused, even scared. We don't like to admit these feelings because they make us feel vulnerable and weak. The apostle Paul realized that in his weakness, God would be glorified. He had to come to the point of experiencing a grand reality, knowing that God's grace would be sufficient for him. You may not even be particularly religious; but you know there are problems and difficulties that are bigger than you can handle on your own. There is a way to face your fears, your weeping, and your uncertainty. It requires us to stop trying to do everything on our own. Acknowledge God. Seek the Lord, through Jesus Christ, and accept His love. You will feel rejected no more. God's grace truly is sufficient. Straight Ahead