As we grow close to God and God's people, we begin to change and reflect HIS character. Often our issues in life are a result of not growing into the image and likeness of God. We are to let go and give everything to God. HIS strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Paul, in his second letter to the Church of Corinth is filled with passion and emotion, and is a compellingly honest look at the pain and struggles in the life of the believer. There are profound lessons within these chapters that that speak with power to the church today – lessons that you may not have expected to learn from an apostle named Paul.
First, brokenness gives ministry purpose. If you are broken, beaten, bruised, and bleeding, you are in the right stream with Paul. He knew all about pain and struggles. Ministry involves suffering, which in turn teaches us some important lessons about God’s grace and our need to depend completely on Him.
Second, meekness communicates life. The person who always has to be in control is in reality a very weak individual. A person who is genuinely meek is genuinely strong. Release control as you find strength in meekness.
Third, loneliness makes us place a high value on friendships. Loneliness makes us value friendships, as we realize the agony of not having anyone there to love us. How wonderful it is when we have someone who understands us and cares for us.
Fourth, weakness puts power on display. The world teaches us to think having our act together and being self-sufficient makes us powerful. Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove the thorn in his side three times: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2corinthians 12:8-9).
Paul teaches us that we can find strength in times of weakness when we are forced to cast ourselves on the One who grants more power than we could ever imagine. May we experience His power at work in our lives as we face trails, struggles, and times of weakness.
Paul teaches us that we can find strength in times of weakness when we are forced to cast ourselves on the One who grants more power than we could ever imagine.
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