God’s Grace Is Sufficient (Part 2)
3 types of suffering & how to endure them
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But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NET)
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I see three major categories of suffering here.
(Not an exhaustive list, but useful for discussion.)
Weakness
I’ll categorize this as self-inflicted suffering. Caused by my own actions … or inaction.
We all have certain things that we struggle with more than others. For example, I struggle with laziness while others are more naturally disciplined.
Some may have a sweet tooth.
Or anger issues.
Things that we can control, but struggle to from time to time. These are weaknesses.
Persecution
I’m thinking of this as outside attacks from others.
Insults fit here too.
These attacks are obviously outside of our control. Yet I still have a responsibility to behave in a manner worthy of God as I react to these attacks.
They don’t have to be life or death either. They can be slander, gossip, lies, all kinds of attacks on our self or our character.
And, for the believer, most often they aren’t attacking us, they’re attacking Jesus. (We just happen to look like Him.)
Troubles
Neither failures caused by my own weakness nor attacks from others, but difficult situations in life.
Sin broke the universe and life is tough sometimes.
Christ’s strengths shines through our weaknesses, even in troubling times.
…
I once had a seminary professor comment: “I don’t know how people make it through life without Jesus. Life is hard.”
That’s stuck with me.
If you’re facing something hard, lean on Jesus.
He will never fail you.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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