Quote:
I'm going to boast only about my weaknesses. I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I've received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I'm quite content with my weakness and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I'm weak, then I'm strong.
2 Corinthians 12:5-10
Sometimes God gives us things, or just allows things to happen to keep us relying on him. In this chapter Paul talks about "a thorn in my flesh" that was given to him to keep him humble. Sometimes unpleasant things happen in our life. We asked God to take them away, but he doesn't. As Paul has shown, sometimes we need these things in our life to keep us relying on Christ. We need a weakness so that we can rely on God's power.
Think about it, if our life seemed perfect and we had no problems; why would we want God? Isn't that what the parable of the rich man was all about? (Matthew 19:23-25) God said it was harder for a rich man to enter heaven than anyone. The reason is because they
think that they have everything. Any sin this world has to offer is at their fingertips, so it's harder for them to turn and come to God.
Now I'm not saying that all pain and suffering is good; in a perfect world all of it would be gone. (When Christ comes back it will all be taken away.) But, sometimes down here uncomfortable things or pain in our life can be used by Christ to bring us closer to Him. That is what I want. I don?t want to forget that I am serving God and go off to start my own show, or do my own thing. I want to remain in His will so that He can use me to accomplish great things, and if I have to endure a little trouble or pain I think it is worth it to keep Him the Lord of my life. Like His word says, ?My power works best in your weakness?.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Members
