Ro 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
Mt 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when [men] cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Ac 5:41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for [His] name.
Php 2:17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Jas 1:2-3 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
1Pe 3:14a But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed.
Health and wellness: a subject most of us care about. Being free of physical or psychological disease, illness, or malfunction. This is a fairly broad subject. We put effort into eating healthy, we try to exercise (I say that with a great amount of latitude), there are countless suggestions available on lessening stress, and there are supplements you can take for just about anything. However, we all know individuals who are under the constraints of a body struck by disease. Some things seem to come with physical aging and are almost expected; other illnesses come as a surprise. Like the sweet little babies and toddlers whose parents find out something is not quite working right. Or the teenager who is fine one day and then finds out they will need ongoing medical care for an illness that will follow them through life. Some people are given an abrupt introduction to a world of medical terminology. These things seem random but they are not. God is completely able and has the right to give and to take away anything He deems necessary for His ultimate glory. None of us are beyond the reach of physical maladies. Since we all deal with this subject either in ourselves or with others, our response is a good thing to address. Let’s look closer at Paul’s ‘thorn in the flesh’.
2Co 12:7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me--to keep me from exalting myself!
It was given to him, bestowed upon him. The word given <didomi> also carries the idea of being smote upon, or struck with, even suffering and yielding.
Paul didn’t request this and likely wouldn’t have wanted it. None of us desire physical problems that keep us from our responsibilities or schedules or commitments. The first reaction many of us have towards illness is, “Oh no, not now”. Like there’s ever really a good time to be sick! Of course there isn’t. And it’s no fun to feel sick either. Ever had a migraine? They literally knock you off your feet! Or the stomach flu? These are illnesses that cause you to cancel entire days. Not like you can accomplish any other task while suffering with an intestinal bug or while your head is pounding and feels like an overstretched balloon. But, back to this ’thorn in the side’. It seems it was more than a passing illness but rather a constant condition. Literally, a bodily annoyance or disability. Sounds like a chronic illness. Something that you need to learn to live with. Something that reoccurs. Something that God allowed, something that God gave.
Billions of dollars are spent in research to find medications that lessen the effect of chronic illness and serious disease. Countless hours are spent in going from doctor to doctor or specialized clinics to find cures or at least acceptable treatment. Why? Because it’s tough to live life within a body that doesn’t function properly. Sometimes, we find things that help. When we do, that’s wonderful and worthy of praise to God. Often, learning to live with pain or annoyances, is the necessity.
What’s our response to those around us who are struggling with pain? How do we react within ourselves as God deems it necessary to allow personal suffering?
Why was this thorn in the side necessary for Paul? “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations” given him. God had chosen to give him wonderful revelations which he desired to share with the Corinthian church, not in order to cause others to think well of him but to bring glory to God alone. In order that they might see Paul as a bonafide apostle of God. Yet in God’s perfect understanding of the present and the future, He deemed it important to give Paul this particular problem along with the distresses already disclosed in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
What does weakness cause? A feeling of having a disadvantage, of being helpless, of lacking physical strength. What does weakness do to a believer? It causes them to focus on God, their need of God, their reliance upon His strength, and their trust in Him. This is good! This is a blessing! This is an opportunity to be light in darkness. To accept difficulty without grumbling, with an understanding that God knows what God is doing.
Php 1:19-21 For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but [that] with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
How about when suffering is caused by insults or persecution for your faith in God? Does this even happen today? Sure it does! Perhaps in varying degrees depending on where you live, but people are annoyed by Truth. Just look at facial expressions around you as you refer to God. If you attest to a Creator, a God who sets the rules, then all of sudden you lose your freedom to do what you want (or so many think). People like to be in control, to think they are calling the shots. When someone ‘stands in the way’ with a concern that questions a direction or a motive, they are considered a problem. When a possibility of something greater than ourselves is mentioned, the world gets uncomfortable. This war between light and darkness is no surprise to God. He’s very aware that His children may be ridiculed for believing in Him and proclaiming His name.
1Pe 4:13-14 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
I live in an area inundated by aerospace. I don’t understand much about the technology but I do know that testing is a big part of planning and moving forward in a project. Why is testing necessary? To find the weaknesses, to find the potential problems, to have an opportunity to strengthen or improve areas that may fail when used in a real mission. Think about the analogy we can make. We are weak and need to be strengthened so that our faith stands the test of persecution or problems that are sure to present themselves. God is gracious to allow us time for strengthening and growing in endurance and causing our trust and reliance upon Him to expand even greater. Then we might be able to say we are “well content” or ‘take pleasure in’ weaknesses as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:10.
Let’s embrace God’s direction for the life He’s given us, and willingly accept for His glory whatever He deems necessary to grow our faith to be strong in Him. Whether it be weaknesses or insults or distresses or persecutions or difficulties rendered for the sake of Christ. His purpose and plan is perfect. When we rely upon our own strength, pride is produced; when we realize we need God’s strength, dependence and trust are multiplied. When you are weak in yourself, God’s power in you shines through.
2Co 10:18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
2Co 12:9 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, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Verse 10. Therefore I take pleasure] I not only endure them patiently, but am pleased when they occur; for I do it for Christ's sake-on his account; for on his account I suffer. For when I am weak-most oppressed with trials and afflictions, then am I strong; God supporting my mind with his most powerful influences, causing me to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
Verse 10. Therefore I take pleasure. Since so many benefits result from trials; since my afflictions are the occasion of obtaining the favour of Christ in so eminent a degree, I rejoice in the privilege of suffering. There is often real pleasure in affliction, paradoxical as it may appear. Some of the happiest persons I have known are those who have been deeply afflicted; some of the purest joys which I have witnessed have been manifested on a sick bed, and in the prospect of death. And I have no doubt that Paul, in the midst of all his infirmities and reproaches, had a joy above that which all the wealth and honour of the world could give. See here the power of religion. It not only supports--it comforts. It not only enables one to bear suffering with resignation, but it enables him to rejoice. Philosophy blunts the feelings; infidelity leaves men to murmur and repine in trial; the pleasures of this world have no power even to support or comfort in times of affliction; but Christianity furnishes positive pleasure in trial, and enables the sufferer to smile through his tears. Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.
When I am weak in self, then I am strong in the power of Christ.
