Invincible ∙

Invincible ∙

[Moses] chose to be mistreated with God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. – Hebrews 11:25

Hebrews 12:1-4

Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then, you won’t become weary and give up.

After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2

You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of significant opposition.

The Myth of Antaeus: A Lesson in Strength and Strategy

In Greek mythology, Antaeus was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Gaea, the goddess of the Earth. He was a formidable figure who challenged all strangers passing through his territory to a wrestling match. In Greek wrestling, the goal was to throw your opponent to the ground and pin them. However, this strategy proved futile against Antaeus.

Antaeus drew his strength and vitality from his mother, Gaea. Every time he touched the Earth, he was revitalized and energized. If thrown to the ground, he became even stronger, making him seemingly unbeatable. He consistently overwhelmed and defeated his opponents.

The Turning Point: Hercules

Antaeus’s tactics worked flawlessly until he faced Hercules. At first, Hercules struggled to defeat him because every time he tried to throw him to the ground, Antaeus grew even stronger. Recognizing the source of Antaeus’s power, Hercules came up with a new strategy.

Instead of wrestling Antaeus down, Hercules lifted him off the ground, away from the Earth. Deprived of his connection to Gaea, Antaeus’s strength faded. Hercules then crushed him, ending his invincible reign.

A Spiritual Parallel: Strength in Weakness

The tale of Antaeus serves as a compelling metaphor for the experiences of the children of the King. Similar to Antaeus, we frequently find ourselves “thrown to the ground,” whether through hardship, mistreatment, or other challenges that leave us feeling defeated. However, there is a way to transform these moments of weakness into sources of strength.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul shows the way! “Each time [the Lord] 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. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

A New Perspective: Rejoicing in Weakness

Paul’s reaction to mistreatment was truly revolutionary. Rather than giving in to feelings of anger or despair, he embraced his weaknesses and found joy in them. Paul recognized these challenges as essential components of his development as a servant of the Father. This shift in attitude demanded a perspective transformation, moving beyond the typical, flawed human responses to embrace a mindset grounded in trust and faith.

What should have defeated Paul only made him stronger. Though often bruised and beaten, he remained invincible until his mission was complete. Even as he faced eventual execution under Nero, Paul was fearless, enduring every hardship as a soldier of the King.

REFLECT & PRAY

The more children of the King endure mistreatment and respond appropriately, the stronger they become. These difficult experiences build their character and determination.

Father, I want to embrace and hold fast to Your promise that Your grace is sufficient for me. When I am weak, I am strong. Thank You for the strength You provide in my moments of greatest need.

INSIGHT

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: A Lesson in Grace and Strength

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses his struggle with what he calls a “thorn in the flesh.” While he never specifies what this thorn is, it’s evident that it caused him significant pain. Paul pleaded with the Father to remove it, but his request was denied. Why would the Father allow this affliction to remain? The answer is in the Father’s greater purpose for Paul’s life.

A Divine Purpose Behind the Thorn

The Father had a plan that went beyond Paul’s current struggles. He had something entirely different in mind. Instead of removing the thorn, the Father used it to give Paul a deeper understanding of His work in his life. The circumstances did not change, and the thorn remained, but Paul’s perspective was transformed.

As Paul prayed, he realized that his affliction was not a punishment but a gift from God. This “strange gift” was meant to prevent Paul from being “exalted above measure.” It was a tool the Father used to shape Paul’s character and fulfill His divine purposes.

The Power of Grace in Weakness

When Paul accepted his affliction as a divine gift, it allowed God’s grace to work powerfully in his life. Rather than offering explanations for Paul’s struggles, the Father provided him with an extraordinary promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

This promise formed the foundation of Paul’s faith. As Warren Wiersbe states, “We do not live on explanations; we live on promises. Our feelings change, but God’s promises never change. Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope.” Paul’s experience shows how the Father works in the lives of His children, in the kingdom of God.

The Father’s grace empowers the children of the King to rise above their circumstances, fears, and suffering. It transforms their weaknesses into strengths, enabling them to endure and even flourish amid adversity.

A Major Perspective Transformation

Paul underwent a radical shift in perspective. He moved from simply accepting his hardships to feeling grateful for them. He realized that his suffering was not a tyrant ruling over him but a servant working for him. As Wiersbe notes, “God’s grace enabled Paul not only to accept his afflictions but to glory in them.”

This outlook is remarkable, especially for fallen humans who are naturally inclined to avoid pain and hardship. Yet, Paul’s example demonstrates that tribulations and difficulties, our “thorns in the flesh”, are not meant to destroy us. Instead, they are tools the Father uses to strengthen and refine us.

The Call to Gratitude

Paul’s transformation began with an attitude of gratitude. He embraced the truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” By giving thanks for his afflictions, Paul unlocked the supernatural power of God’s grace in his life.

When children of the King embrace this mindset, a remarkable transformation occurs: their vulnerabilities are reshaped into formidable strengths. This shift not only enhances their character but also enables them to navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and confidence. Paul captures this truth in 2 Corinthians 12:10: “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Strength Through Weakness

When children of the King face life’s challenges, they are not defeated. Instead, they are supernaturally strengthened by the Father. What seems like weakness becomes the very source of their strength and resilience, enabling them to rise above their circumstances and fulfill their divine purpose.

The more children of the King face mistreatment and respond with faith and trust, the stronger they become. Hardships, when met with the right heart attitude, turn into opportunities for God’s power to shine through.

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© Dr. H 2026