An Unusual Approach To Affliction

And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

II Corinthians 12:9c 

As we consider our text for the third day, we come to consider an unusual approach to affliction. The Apostle Paul declares, ‘Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’ In what things do we typically ‘boast?’ We ‘boast’ in our strength. We ‘boast’ in our intelligence. We ‘boast’ in our abilities. We ‘boast’ in our achievements and accomplishments. It is unnatural to ‘boast’ in our ‘infirmities.’ Only the grace of Christ can enable us to do that. Paul desired to have Christ remove his ‘thorn in the flesh.’ Christ did not. More than that, He promised Paul that, ‘my grace is sufficient for you.’ Beyond that, He enabled Paul to view his ‘infirmities’ in such a positive way that he would ‘boast’ in them. Here is Christ-wrought wisdom. Here is that which is so unusual that it can only be the result of the Grace of God. All the power of positive thinking, masquerading as ‘Christian thought’ will not land us here. Ours is not the story of our own ability to overcome adversity by reciting a few well-chosen Bible verses, and ‘choosing joy.’ Our story is that of an abundantly Gracious Christ, who gives us a view of afflictions which are totally beyond anything we are or can do of ourselves. In that way, He receives Glory due to Him. For the hard-pressed child of God, Christ is all. Today, let us look again to Him, Who can enable us to boast in our infirmities, that His power may rest upon us. 

Our Gracious, Upholding God, 
we rejoice that You enable us to take Your view of our afflictions. 
We praise You, that all these things work together for our good, 
and for Your Eternal Glory. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning