Weakness

 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV 

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. 
 

This is a counterintuitive verse. We might assume that we can only be content when the sun is shining and our lives feel okay. The Apostle Paul insists that it's possible to be content even in difficult circumstances.

I need to clarify that Paul wasn't content with these hard things for their own sakes. He wasn't a sadist. Instead he was grateful for an opportunity for God to display his strength in Paul's weakness.

We might assume that when we face things like insults and persecution that we might just throw in the towel. Paul knew however that such things were causing him to rely consciously on God instead of himself. 'Blessed are the persecuted, for great is their reward in heaven'.

Weaknesses, hardships and calamities can either drive us from God in bitterness, or to him in dependence. If Jesus endured the cross for us, we should be willing to bear our crosses for him too. We do well to remember that weakness is a temporary state- strength in God is everlasting.

'Dear God, please help us in our weakness to consciously rely on your strength to get us through. For we ask in the powerful name of Jesus, amen'. 

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