Is It Possible to Have Unfailing Strength?

by Katy Kauffman

“Penguini.” That’s the pet name for my shuffle-walk. It happens once or twice a week when I am exhausted or haven’t taken in enough calories for how active I am. Because of my tummy problems, I can only eat a little food at a time. When my Penguini condition strikes, my right foot turns inward (don’t ask me why), and I shuffle like a sleepy penguin across the house (or the grocery store).

It’s hard having limitations. Mine are mild, of course. Some limitations are overwhelming, and any kind can be frustrating when we want to tackle a new project, go on an adventure, or do daily life with as little pain or obstacles as possible.

Limitations aren’t only physical. They can come in the form of mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges. The apostle Paul faced his own set of challenges, and he pleaded with God to remove one of them. Let’s step into their conversation for a minute. Scripture says:

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV)

Even though Jesus said no to Paul’s request, He gave Paul a remedy for his limitations—grace. Grace that brings strength, grace that works in the midst of weakness. Grace that fills the soul with light and joy, grace that brings hope and peace. Grace that never runs out.

Paul responded with his own “Yes, Lord!” because he wanted Jesus’ power to be at work in his life.

“But, Lord,” we may say if we feel overwhelmed, “the work is hard, and my body is tired. I don’t know if I can do what You’ve called me to.”

“My grace is sufficient,” He replies.

“There’s so much to do. So many people to help.”

“My grace is sufficient.”

“I’ve got obstacles left and right.”

“My grace is sufficient.”

How sufficient is “sufficient”? This word means to possess “unfailing strength,”¹ one that is “independent of external circumstances”² and enough for the current need.³

Paul accepted his weaknesses because of this sufficient grace and declared in the midst of his challenges:

I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11 NKJV)

There’s our word “sufficient” again, but in this verse, it’s translated as “content.” Paul had learned in whatever state he was in, to be content or sufficient—to have strength that was independent of his circumstances. How is that possible?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13 NKJV)

In Christ, we find unfailing strength to do God’s will. In Him, we discover a sufficient grace that is independent of whatever situation we’re in. As Christ walks with us through this life, so does His grace.

This doesn’t mean that we need to cram our schedules with thirty things to do every week, because Jesus gives us His strength. God has designed life to have a rhythm of work and rest. What this means is that in Christ, we find the grace—the desire and the ability—to do God’s will. We discover perseverance and an “I-want-to” attitude that sustains us.    

An Unfailing Source

A gift like this is only as good as its Giver. So what does Scripture say about the God who shares His strength?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. (Isaiah 40:28-29 NKJV)

The One who made all things and loves us, never gets tired or weary. The God who existed before the world began, knows all things, including how to help us and sustain us. The Almighty who has perfect power, shares His strength.

He never fails, and His strength doesn’t either. No doubt, the amount of good things we can do in a day’s time may vary from day to day. But God knows the needs and demands of each day and when to speed up and when to slow down. His grace will see us through each challenge and each step in the right direction.

What do you need to accomplish this week? Draw your strength by going to God and depending on His sustaining grace.

Discussion Point: When you have a lot going on, where do you find grace—in Scripture, in talking with God, in a walk outside, in Christian music, in fellowship with other believers in Christ, or in another way? Leave a comment, and let’s help each other to depend on God for the grace we need.

1. Larry Pierce, The Online Bible, CD-ROM (Winterbourne, Ontario: Larry Pierce, 2019), 2 Corinthians 12:9.
2. Ibid., Philippians 4:11.
3. www.Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/sufficient