Spiritual Ballast

[1] I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained
by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. [2] I know a
man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
[3] And I know that this man was caught up into paradise — whether in
the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — [4] and he
heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. [5] On
behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast,
except of my weaknesses — [6] though if I should wish to boast, I
would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain
from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or
hears from me. [7] So to keep me from becoming conceited because of
the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all
the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with
weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)