How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)
Quote #10
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (NRSV 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Paul hits us with this passage after he gets done explaining how he had a magnificent vision of Paradise. God didn't want him to get all high and mighty, so he took him down a notch with a little illness. When Paul prays for his problem to go away, God responds in the negative. Instead of getting mad, Paul sees it as a sign. Weakness is good. Suffering is good. Getting too full of yourself after seeing a heavenly vision? Bad.