In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV), God tells the Apostle Paul that His "grace is sufficient," meaning God's unearned favor and love are all anyone needs. Instead of removing Paul’s suffering, God explains that His divine power is made perfect—or fully displayed—when we acknowledge our own human weaknesses. [1, 2, 3]

Here is the breakdown of the key concepts and what this passage means:

• "My grace is sufficient for thee": God does not always answer prayers by removing our burdens, trials, or "thorns in the flesh". Instead, He provides His constant, sustaining love and presence to help you endure through them.
• "My strength is made perfect in weakness": When we are strong, self-sufficient, and capable on our own, we tend to rely on ourselves. When we are weak, inadequate, or pushed to our limits, we are forced to lean on God. It is in these moments that God's power can be seen clearly.
• "I will rather glory in my infirmities": Paul chooses to "glory" (rejoice or boast) in his weaknesses. He does this because he realizes that his own limitations create the perfect opportunity for the "power of Christ" to work through him.
• "When I am weak, then I am strong": This is the great paradox of the Christian faith. It is not about mustering up our own willpower, but rather surrendering our inadequacies to God so that His infinite strength becomes our own. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]