Weakness in strength

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12v10

I take pleasure when I am sick. I take pleasure when I am attacked by others. I take pleasure in having needs. I take pleasure in being persecuted. I take pleasure in being in distress. What was Paul, some kind of sick masochist? How can he say this kind of stuff? When I look at this and think about how I respond in illness, reproach, needs, etc I realise that either Paul or I have something wrong here. I don’t take pleasure in these things. I don’t like them.

What makes Paul and me different? A couple of things do. One, Paul took pleasure that these things were for Christ’s sake. Paul’s opponents in Corinth and other places surely though they could crush him by their opposition. But Paul refused to give in to the flesh that would give his opponents their victory. Paul was able to turn things around in his head and heart so that the more “junk” that came against him the more he rejoiced. He know longer saw these things as something to be feared and hated, but something to be enjoyed, because he was sharing them with His Saviour!

Paul grasped something that I don’t know if I ever will – true strength comes in weakness. I can’t find my true strength in Christ until I am weak, until all the props are knocked out, and all the supports gone. When Christ hung on the cross everything was gone. He hung in naked shame for all the world to see. It was the ultimate picture of weakness. But it was then that He proved Himself strong. I hate the thought of it, but maybe I will have to be like him, everything stripped bare and all my strength ripped from me before I can find my true strength in Him. It may take that before I can truly say with my heart of hearts, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”