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.
2 Corinthians 12:8,10 NLT
When I read this passage of Scripture today- Scripture I've read hundreds of times - it opened up in a whole new way. I've been praying and praying, as have my friends and family, to be out of pain, to be healed, to move on. It hasn’t happened.
I've also been praying for humility, and to be rid of the sin of pride in my life. It's been a generational curse in our family. Self-sufficiency. Doing things my own way. Being able to do things in and of myself. Not asking for help. The upside to that is I think I can get a lot of things done. The downside to that is thinking that I can even do any of it without God and the gifts that He's given me.
I've never looked at weakness as being a strength. I've never looked at health issues or financial challenges as being gifts from God. But if we believe the Word of God - that all things work together for our good - as it says in Romans 8:28, then we can trust God to use even the awful stuff to teach us and to train us. And that makes the bad stuff gifts in our lives... no matter how much they are unwanted. Hebrews 12:11 reads, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”.
Paul said he’d rather boast in his infirmities. I am not there, but where I am is that I can truly give thanks in the trials and tribulations that are being used to teach and train me for a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Prayer:
Father,
You are my ever-present peace, and although I can become consumed with control, worry, or whatever it is I wish were different, still I know You are there. And I am so grateful, Father! Help me to see and acknowledge Your presence in all things that touch my life. Help me see Your goodness and let me never forget to express my thanksgiving and gratitude to You. You are the giver of all good things, and You never stop pouring them out over my life, and I praise You for all of that. Let me learn in the same manner as You are training me - patiently and with confidence. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen
2 Corinthians 12:8,10 NLT
When I read this passage of Scripture today- Scripture I've read hundreds of times - it opened up in a whole new way. I've been praying and praying, as have my friends and family, to be out of pain, to be healed, to move on. It hasn’t happened.
I've also been praying for humility, and to be rid of the sin of pride in my life. It's been a generational curse in our family. Self-sufficiency. Doing things my own way. Being able to do things in and of myself. Not asking for help. The upside to that is I think I can get a lot of things done. The downside to that is thinking that I can even do any of it without God and the gifts that He's given me.
I've never looked at weakness as being a strength. I've never looked at health issues or financial challenges as being gifts from God. But if we believe the Word of God - that all things work together for our good - as it says in Romans 8:28, then we can trust God to use even the awful stuff to teach us and to train us. And that makes the bad stuff gifts in our lives... no matter how much they are unwanted. Hebrews 12:11 reads, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”.
Paul said he’d rather boast in his infirmities. I am not there, but where I am is that I can truly give thanks in the trials and tribulations that are being used to teach and train me for a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Prayer:
Father,
You are my ever-present peace, and although I can become consumed with control, worry, or whatever it is I wish were different, still I know You are there. And I am so grateful, Father! Help me to see and acknowledge Your presence in all things that touch my life. Help me see Your goodness and let me never forget to express my thanksgiving and gratitude to You. You are the giver of all good things, and You never stop pouring them out over my life, and I praise You for all of that. Let me learn in the same manner as You are training me - patiently and with confidence. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen
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Jumping back in to write the Promise today and praying that I may continue...
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