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“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”  

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The Apostle Paul is one of the most influential Christ follower of all time. Did you notice in the 2 Corinthians 12: 8-9 passage, he leaves out what he was begging God to take away? What was his pesky problem? Perhaps it was a chronic illness, mental struggle, character flaw, body issue, personal grudge, bitterness, anger, guilt? Oh how I wish I knew what it was!

Truth be told, we all have pesky problems. Unlike Paul, my begging God is usually not limited to 3 times; more like 30, 300, maybe more? What can I say, I am persistent!

Mamas, if you could instantly and forever remove ONE pesky problem from your life, which one would you choose?  Don’t worry, we will keep it a secret, just like Paul. Dig deep mamas. If you are like me, you have plenty select from, but which pesky problem holds first place ranking?

Now lets unpack and sit with our pesky problem for a moment. I want us to lather up in our uncomfortableness as we explore this further. It took me four decades, to accept that my pesky problem will be a lifetime struggle. I cannot honestly say I wouldn’t trade it, because I would!  But I can genuinely see how my pesky problem demonstrates God’s limitless grace. I can also see the potential for this pesky problem transforming into a pretty awesome super power, but that may take another four decades to accomplish!

Did you know mamas, there is a great unifier in all our pesky problems? Can you guess what it is? Each pesky problem involves a healthy dose of GRACE. Whether you are extending grace to yourself or others; receiving God’s grace, or accepting grace from others? Each and every one of our pesky problems is coated in GRACE.   GRACE is the secret sauce that turns our brokenness into blessing and our weakness into a super power.

Before we rinse off the lather of this pesky problem exercise, remember what God said: “My grace is all you need.” Mamas, our problems are not punishments.  Hopefully the next time a pesky problem surfaces, I can be more like Paul, ask three times and then allow God’s limitless grace to wash over me.