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2 Corinthians 12:10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
This verse is easy to read but not so easy to accomplish. It says to delight in weaknesses, insults, distresses, in persecution and difficulties. I’d rather delight in barbecue, easy relationships, strengths…you get the idea.
However, the previous verse tells how we do this:
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
No matter what I face, His grace is sufficient. Christ Jesus will never not be enough or fall short. This is how we learn and are finer tuned in the valleys, rather than the peaks.
As the worship band Cain sings in “I’m So Blessed,”
“‘Cause on my best day, I’m a child of God
On my worst day, I’m a child of God
Oh, every day is a good day
And You’re the reason why”
I am perfected in weakness because as I transform from less of me to more of Him, I move closer in proximity to Him, His will, His desires, and His hope while simultaneously moving farther from mine.
Be encouraged in the “insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties,” He is sovereign over all and knows what we endure every day.
God doesn’t have to answer my prayers as I pray them. God is not a genie. He isn’t there to fulfill three wishes. He isn’t there to bow to my demands. I’m not running the universe. And if I have good sense, I won’t even seek to run my own life. But I will commit the keeping of my life to Him. I will commit my destiny to Him. I will seek His guidance and His direction. A man is a fool who tries to direct God to condescend to his will, to his demand.
-Pastor Chick Smith
I see such a miniscule portion of the entire picture that He sees. Trusting God who sees all, knows all, and is all is common sense!
Phillipians 1:29
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf.
