I’M BOASTING IN MY WEAKNESS WHEN I’M SUFFERING

This week, I am exploring what God says about SUFFERING.  As I enter prayer now, I reflect on God’s instruction, “Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 

Lord, teach me today about suffering.  I desire to be receptive to the grace You give to me so my heart can be full of Your Holy Spirit. 

Let me consider the Word of God from 2 Corinthians 11:24-30: 

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 

The Apostle Paul had a hard life.  He described in detail all the things that happened to him after He came to know Jesus as his Savior.   

But do you know what?  His life was in much more jeapordy before he came to Jesus.  Before, he was actually on the other side, persecuting Jesus’ followers.  Now he is one of them. 

Lord, thank You for saving me from the ultimate weakness—living my life without you.   

Is Paul weak, or is he strong?  He is both, just like me.  I was weak before I came to know Jesus, and now that I know Him, I realize just how weak I am. 

I realize now that Jesus is The Strong One.  As much as I want to be strong, I know that Jesus will always be the Strongest One of All Time.  And that is good enough for me. 

Lord, thank you for helping me to see that it is not your will to be strong.  I desire to be weak, so that You can be strong in me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.