When hit by life’s arrows
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 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
From the text, despite the uncertainties in life, Paul’s resolved was to trust God. He asked God three times to remove the thorn from his life that afflicted him, but God told him that divine grace was sufficient for him. He saw God’s response was more than simply directed toward his situation. God wanted him to find comfort and security in the grace he had received in Christ. This is also what God desires for all believers. When life’s arrows hit us we could tend to wallow in self-pity and whine away the balance of our days. We start to count the number the days in our life instead of putting life in our days. For Paul, he chose to glory in his weaknesses. He discovered contentment, even a joy, in the midst of distresses, persecutions, and difficulties. When God did not remove his afflictions, Paul realized that the denial from his request was for a greater good because it was to God’s greater glory. God told Paul that divine power is made perfect in weakness. When God’s people are weak, they turn to God and they discover God’s strength working, thus it becomes evident that His presence is within. Paul quit complaining, so that Christ’s power might rest on him. From this understanding of his weakness, he concluded that he would delight in weaknesses rather than detest them. Joseph steered clear from bitterness when his brothers sold him in slavery in Egypt. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20). What an incredible perspective when hit by life’s arrows. Life’s arrows should not change the trajectory of our lives but they should deepen our relationship with God and provide us strong character that affords us readiness to stand against the onslaught of difficulties in life. Let us not allow these difficulties in life slump us to the point that we won’t be able to recover or regroup. Instead, view them as momentary setbacks that will help us strong in our resolve to remain faithful to God because His “grace...works best in weakness.”
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
