Delighting in Times of Trial

“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

In case you’re still laboring under any aspect of the lie that Christians shouldn’t/won’t experience suffering and hardship, please reflect on the life of the Apostle Paul! Paul was utterly devoted to the Lord. He poured out his adult life to advance the cause of Christ and spread the Gospel far and wide. And Paul suffered. Hunger and poverty, betrayal and abuse, persecution and disaster. Paul also suffered from some sort of “thorn in the flesh” that left him profoundly aware of his own weaknesses and limitations.

Paul clearly hated this thorn and begged God to take it away. His prayer was fervent and sincere and his faith was absolute. He knew, without a doubt, that God could heal him in an instant. However, the Lord had better plans for Paul. It was the Lord’s will for Paul to continue to be humbled by this problem. God not only said “No” to Paul’s prayer, He was clear that Paul’s suffering and weakness were going to be used for the glory of Jesus Christ!

Paul’s suffering continued so that Christ’s strength would be revealed through Paul’s weakness. By humbling Paul’s body, Jesus revealed His infinite power that lives within every faithful believer. Paul understood this and learned to delight in it. He was content in his weakness because He understood it revealed God’s power to a watching world.

Nearly everyone will one day experience and have to come to terms with weakness, age, disability, or illness. The question is whether we’ll be confused by it and how it could happen to a Christian or will we be empowered by it, drawing nearer to God in dependence on Him and allowing His power to be revealed. Understand the truth of what the Bible teaches about ailments, weakness, and suffering. Pray in faith for relief but learn to be content as God’s strength is revealed through your weakness. #FollowJesus