Sunday Service - Bible Study - 02/22/2026
Where You Are Weak, You Are Strong
Feeling less-than?
Who hasn’t sought outside validation, or stayed on the wrong path for too long because it felt safer, more achievable, or more secure? Or listened doubt, telling them they need to learn more, achieve more, or do more, to prove themselves? During this bible study, we’re using scripture to illustrate how your weaknesses are your greatest strength, tangible ways to discern God’s voice, and how to apply God’s word to stay steadfast in your faith - even when it is tested, feels uncertain, or is met with criticism. Putting God as the counselor of your life, instead of the opinions of others. Whether you are new to faith or are already familiar with Christ, there’s something for everyone.
2 Corinthians 12: 5-10
“About this person I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weakness. Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Application in your own life:
What we’re taught is that our strength is worldly strength. Think of money, degrees, ease, charm, etc as well as things that naturally come to us (our skills/ talents). Such as communication, baking, organization, attention to detail, etc. However, the “thorn" in Paul’s side humbles him and gifts him grace. The same is true of our weaknesses. God's grace is strongest in our weakness, and he urges us to boast in those weaknesses because it shows that we could not achieve alone, for Christ's strength and grace are what we need to get us to our goals/ heart’s desires. And it is in our “thorns” that we find gratitude, connection, community, thanksgiving, empathy, grace for each other, and unconditional love.
Question: “But how do I discern what God has put on my heart? And how do I know what my thorns (weaknesses) are vs what the enemy is trying to distract me with?”
Reminder that God permits the “angel of Satan” to bring you these thorns. God will take whatever he permits Satan to bring into your life and use it for good.
“Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people.” - Genesis 50:20
You are not less than for having these thorns, because where you are weak, you are strong!
Where you are weak, you have God’s grace and presence!
Here are some discernment checks to see if what is on your mind/heart is truly from God’s Will.
Discernment Checks:
God’s presence is calming, quiet, and full of lasting peace. When you think about the task at hand, or the road before you, or the desire placed on your heart, do you feel lasting peace? Sustained Calmness? Red Flags: frantic or frenzied energy, feeling like you are backed into a corner, or temporary relief.
Do you feel strengthened and energized by the desires placed on your heart/ thoughts/ actions/ or the road ahead? True promptings from the Lord bring spiritual joy, love for God and your neighbor, and energy for good works. Red Flags: Boredom or Emptiness after completing tasks or at the thought of doing those tasks.
Do you find yourself feeling agitation or fear? Turmoil, frenzy, or sadness often signals the enemy exploiting distraction. The enemy is often seen distracting us because it does not want us to do good works, or have a vocation, or act in urgency. It promises to “start on Monday” or that you will “do it tomorrow” - it promises time that you are not promised by God. Red Flag: Restlessness, doubt, or "worse than before."
Does what’s in your heart/mind feel like a grateful "yes" to God? Or does it feel forced or self-serving? Green Flag: It aligns with your values and virtues. Red Flag: You feel pride or control.
Test against fruits and scripture. Review quietly by yourself or speak with a priest. Do the desires placed on your heart/ thoughts/ actions/ or the road ahead match what scripture or the church tells us about a peace that “surpasses all understanding” and show fruits such as harmony in life? Green Flag: Order and/or growth. Red Flag: Confusion and/or division.
Question: It is amazing to witness the ways God is using you in your life! To really know the desires He has lovingly placed on your heart is a blessing. But how do I know when to speak up when I am met with pushback, judgment, unhelpful criticism, or against wrongdoing?
Listen to Sadie Robertson’s Woah That’s Good podcast episode titled ‘My Trial Sentence Changed My Life with Megan Fate Marshman’ for more context to the following!
We have all heard of the sandwich method (or as I was taught, the “Oreo”), where you have something hard to say to someone, but instead of going right into the tough things, we “sandwich it” between two good comments about that person. However, while we all love a good sandwich, the bread matters. A pb&j is not the same as a hamburger! If you cannot answer these three questions right off the bat for that person, the message is not meant to come from you.
Why does what has happened/ is happening matter to you?
Why does this message/ conversation have to come from you and no one else?
Do you see yourself in the resolution with this person? Or are you just coming and going/ passing through that person’s life?
This is not to pass off responsibility, but rather to determine if the message is really meant to be shared from you or if it’s coming from your pride. If you can answer the first two questions, and you are not just passing through this person’s life, but will remain for the resolution, then it is good to kindly, respectfully, “head warning” to that person. Keeping in mind that you cannot predict, change, or control the outcome or what they will do. Once you tell them, you must honor their free will and trust God to reveal Himself to them through His Great Works.
God reflects in Ezekiel 33:8-9 when speaking to the prophet Ezekiel:
“When I say to the wicked, “You wicked, you must die,” and you do not speak up to warn the wicked about their ways, they shall die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their blood. If, however you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, but they do not, then they shall die in their sins, but you shall save your life.”
Question: Okay, but I’m always called dramatic, and sometimes I feel like I really do have to explain myself or justify myself/ why I am saying or doing what I am. I end up oversharing, or speaking before things are finished, saying yes when I mean no to make others happy/ to keep from stirring the pot, or sharing details and then changing my mind after a while.
We all love a good story, and being a good storyteller is a great talent to have! It keeps people captivated and engaged. However, we want our word to be impactful and true. If you feel that you are having to justify, explain, or seek external validation/ permission, or you are saying “yes” when you mean “no” as to save someone’s feelings, then it’s time to change a few things. Our word and faith are all that we really have. To have a good word is to have a good name. To have respect is to give it, even vocally. Be less worried about what others think and commit yourself to speaking what you truly mean and even be willing to hold back, or “to not boast,” as Paul said earlier.
Matthew 5:34-37:
“But I say to you do not swear at all, not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
What this tells us is to stick to our word, and to let our words be so powerful that there is nothing more needed than a yes or a no.
It is normal to change your mind, and we all do! However, when possible, give yourself time to truly pray and meditate in God’s word until you arrive at your decision before speaking.
There is a tension between the “Thorn in your side” and the “Sandwich”:
Like Paul, the thorn in your side may be a person or persons, and they are meant to humble you, encourage your own growth, and force you to lean on God. More than likely, these people may be closest to you, such as a mom, dad, or sibling who does not understand what you are doing/ doesn’t see the bigger vision or acknowledge the milestone you may have hit or are trying to achieve.
While hurtful, remember that God will use anything and everything meant for your harm for your good. And it is good to have grace, gratitude, and perspective. All of which our thorns give us.
However, there may be times, as discussed before, that may require you speak up. Make sure to give yourself time to reflect, pause, pray, and review scripture. Try not to act out of reactiveness, but if you do, be sure to confess to Our Heavenly Father so that you may be renewed and forgiven and receive His Grace.
Romans 12:2:
“Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Ending Prayer - A Prayer of Discernment:
God our Father,
You have a plan for each one of us,
You hold out to us a future full of hope.
Give us the wisdom of your Spirit
so that we can see the shape of your plan
in the gifts you have given us,
and in the circumstances of our daily lives.
Give us the freedom of your Spirit,
to seek you with all our hearts,
and to choose your will above all else.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Bible Study
Footnotes:
Further context provided by the church, specially sited in the NAB translation of the Bible, regarding Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12: 5-10:
“This person” refers to Paul himself. “The indirect way of referring to himself has the effect of emphasizing the distance between that experience and his everyday life, just as the indirect someone in Christ (2 Cor 12:2) and all the passive verbs emphasize his passivity and receptivity in the experience. The revelations were not a personal achievement, nor were they meant to draw attention to any quality of his own.”
That I might not become too elated: “God assures that there is a negative component to his experience, so that he cannot lose proper perspective (2 Cor 1:9; 4:7-11).”
A thorn in the flesh: “Variously interpreted as a sickness, physical disability, a temptation, or a handicap connected with his apostolic activity, but since Hebrew “thorn in the flesh” like English “thorn in my side” refers to persons (Nm 33:55; Ez 28:24), Paul may be referring to some especially persistent and obnoxious opponent. The language of 2 Cor 12:7-8 permits this interpretation. If this is correct, the frequent appearance of singular pronouns in depicting the opposition may not be merely a stylistic variation; the singular may be provoked and accompanied by the image of one individual in whom criticism of Paul’s preaching, way of life, and apostolic consciousness is concentrated, and who embodies all the qualities Paul attributes to the group.”
An angel of Satan: “A personal messenger from Satan. The satanic language already applied to the opponents in 2 Cor 11:3, 13-15, 20.”
Three times: “His prayer was insistent, like that of Jesus in Gethsemane, a sign of how intolerable he felt the thorn to be.”
But he said to me: “Paul’s petition is denied; release and healing are withheld for a higher purpose. The Greek perfect tense indicates that Jesus’ earlier response still holds at the time of writing.”
Weaknesses: “The apostolic hardships he must endure, including active personal hostility, as specified in the final catalogue (2 Cor 12:10a).”
