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Today’s Devotional Scripture: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
The Message For Today (August 23, 2026):
***Listen To Audio Version: A Resilient Life Audio 624
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned; it can be as simple as running late for an appointment due to traffic or your child missing the school bus. And though things like this might throw us off in the moment, we usually bounce back pretty quickly.
Other times, we experience major, unexpected events, like the death of a loved one or a divorce. Things like this can shake us to our core, making it hard to find our footing; in some cases, we may even stumble or fall.
Thankfully, God’s Word gives us confidence that our Father wants to lift us, help heal us, and set us on solid ground every time.
We are blessed to live with resilience because God is faithful to us, no matter what we face. He promises to work every situation for our good (Romans 8:28).
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3–6 KJV)
Often, the very thing the enemy places in our paths as a stumbling block becomes a launching pad for our success as we grow with Him. He has given us an everlasting hope, despite what we see around us, as we forget the things that are behind us and reach forward to the good things He has planned for our future (Philippians 3:13-14).
Strength in Weakness
When Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 12, he was facing serious physical and emotional struggles. Scholars aren’t sure what his ‘thorn in the flesh’ was, but we know he asked God three times to take it away. Instead of complaining, Paul shares how he gets through these trials by relying on God’s love and the Holy Spirit.
In the original Greek, the word for ‘sufficient’ in 2 Corinthians 12:9 is arkeō (Strong’s G714), meaning ‘it’s enough for us; we are content.’ God’s grace is more than just enough—it overflows and turns our weakness into a place where His power can shine.
We can also live with resilience, not by relying on our own strength or ignoring our pain. When we admit our weaknesses, Christ’s power can work in us and make us strong.
Bounce Back
No matter what we’ve faced, how far we’ve fallen, or how much we’ve been hurt, God is more than able to help us. He loves us and promises to give us strength for every weakness. His perfect love drives out fear and gives us peace beyond understanding.
Where the world sees trouble, pain, and despair, we choose to set our eyes on Him and on what he has planned for our lives, including working everything out for our good; we have this hope for what lies ahead. Despite our pasts, we have hope for our futures. What an amazing gift we have been given through our Savior and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Closing Devotional Prayer
My Prayer for you:
Heavenly Father, we praise you, for you are good, and though we live imperfect lives, your perfect love casts out all fear. We know that no matter what we go through, you walk through it with us, holding us up with your mighty right arm and giving us strength wherever we are weak. We thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit as we choose to live lives of resilient faith and endurance. We thank you for turning everything around for us and using it for our good, knowing that nothing we have gone through or experienced in this life is wasted. We look to you to show up and show off in ways greater than we could think or imagine. In Your mighty name we pray, Amen.
Written by Jennifer Rene
