Strength In Weakness

[Christ4Ever]

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. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

It isn’t natural to be content with weakness, especially for men. And when others see our weaknesses, we are likely to feel shame, maybe even anger. These feelings may cause us to question our usefulness to Christ. After all, how can God use someone who keeps falling into sin?

In his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul mentions a weakness of his own. No one knows exactly what Paul meant when he said that he was given a “thorn in the flesh,” but it is clear that Satan used this weakness to attack Paul and cause him to sin.

Three times Paul asked God to remove this weakness, but God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).

No matter what weaknesses you have, what insults you endure, what hardships you live through, remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Stop trying to overcome your weakness with your own strength, and allow God to work in you. And if others see your example of weakness transformed, they’ll have reason to praise God instead of you.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I hide my weakness from others and from You. Give me Your strength to be content.

 

[complete]

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. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

It isn’t natural to be content with weakness, especially for men. And when others see our weaknesses, we are likely to feel shame, maybe even anger. These feelings may cause us to question our usefulness to Christ. After all, how can God use someone who keeps falling into sin?

In his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul mentions a weakness of his own. No one knows exactly what Paul meant when he said that he was given a “thorn in the flesh,” but it is clear that Satan used this weakness to attack Paul and cause him to sin.

Three times Paul asked God to remove this weakness, but God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).

No matter what weaknesses you have, what insults you endure, what hardships you live through, remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Stop trying to overcome your weakness with your own strength, and allow God to work in you. And if others see your example of weakness transformed, they’ll have reason to praise God instead of you.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I hide my weakness from others and from You. Give me Your strength to be content.

'Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth:
but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be,
or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,
the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:
for when I am weak, then am I strong.'
(2 Corinthians 12:5-10)

Hello @Christ4Ever,

I enjoyed your application: but, with respect, we are not told that the 'thorn in the flesh' that Paul was given caused him to sin. We are told that it * 'buffeted' him, which means to, 'rap with the fist', and that it was, 'a servant of Satan,' (see Job 2:6-7). That Paul considered it an 'infirmity' is clear, for he 'besought' the Lord three times, that it might depart from him. Yet, it was not taken away, but allowed to remain, and Paul would learn that the Lord's grace would indeed be sufficient for him in overcoming it. Praise God!

* Travelling in the car, alone, after visiting my sister, on Monday of this week, I had unburdened my heart to the Lord in the solitude: and in the evening I had occasion to look up verses from Matthew 11:25-30, and had a lesson to learn :-

'At that time Jesus answered and said,
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.
All things are delivered unto Me of My Father:
and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father;
neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son,
and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'
(Mat 11:25-30)

* The context of this passage reveals that the Lord had been, 'buffeted,' by:-

(1) .. the doubting of John the Baptist as to His person and His work (Matthew 11:3) ;
(2) .. by the insults spoken about Him among the people (Matthew 11:19); and
(3) .. the rejection of His word and works in the cities that He had ministered in (Matthew 11:20-24).

* Yet the Lord's response was one of submission and acceptance of the will of His Father, for He knew that, 'all things are delivered unto Me of My Father'. He had nothing to glory in in the flesh: but He lived by faith and not by sight, and He found rest in bowing to the will of His Father, whatever it may be.

* He then reached out and invited those around Him, who were equally labouring and heavy laden to come to Him, that they may also enter into His rest, to take His yoke upon them, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly in heart, and they would find rest unto their souls, for His yoke is easy, and His burden light; light, for it is one of submission and acceptance of the Fathers will for them. ( see also, 1 Peter 2:19-25 )

* In this world we will have tribulation, but we must, 'be of good cheer', for He has overcome the world.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

* Buffet/ed/ing (Gr. kolaphpizo):- Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 2:20