Your Greatest Ministry May Be Born from Misery

*This devo goes along with our sermon series Faith - A Journey through Doubt, which can be watched here

Scripture:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Reflection:

Paul asked God three times to remove his thorn—whatever it was, it was painful. God didn’t remove it. Instead, He gave Paul something better: grace.

And then came revelation: “This thorn is keeping me humble. It’s protecting me from pride. It’s making me depend on God.” Sometimes, the pain that seems like punishment is actually preparation.

The very thing you’re praying God would take away might be the tool He’s using to shape your calling. Your greatest ministry might come from your most painful experience.

Whether it’s a loss, a betrayal, or a personal failure—God can redeem it. What once made you feel weak may become what makes your witness powerful. Paul’s thorn didn’t disqualify him; it deepened him.

Prayer:

God, I give You the parts of my life that hurt. Redeem my pain for Your purpose. Use my weakness as a platform for Your power. Let my scars become stories of Your faithfulness. Amen.