Delighting in weakness

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.” Personally I prefer strength, compliments, a smooth road and a no-problem agenda in my life. Who takes delight in difficulty and criticism, to say nothing of persecution?

When you read the 12th chapter of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, you begin to see a picture emerge of a man who was beset by weaknesses – perhaps physical but also adversarial. He had enemies – plenty of them. At the same time he describes this weakness (he called it a thorn in the flesh) as “a messenger of Satan” sent to torment him.

Paul’s difficulties drove him to God. Three times he asked God to remove this thorn. Three times God said, “No, Paul. I have something better for you – my grace and favor that works through your weakness, allowing you to become strong in those areas where you are weak and very, very human.”

Paul said he would boast gladly in his weaknesses so that Christ’s power would be manifest in his body. The word that Paul used, translated weaknesses, was the word commonly used for physical affliction or sickness, but it was also used to contrast your strength with someone who was far more powerful than you, or to describe a position of inferiority to someone else’s strength.

Often we are overwhelmed by the firepower of our enemies who would like to wipe us out. So what do you do, stand there and yell at Goliath to go away? He won’t. He’s the messenger of Satan that would destroy you. Or do you cry out, “God, I’m weak; give me Your strength?” And when you do, you become a recipient of God’s grace – His unmerited favor and help – so you can overcome the enemies that would defeat you.

Used with permission from Guidelines International Ministries. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, send an e-mail to [email protected]. You may also visit www.guidelines.org.