Pleasures In Infirmities

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. 

II Corinthians 12:10 

Paul is working toward a summary of this discussion regarding his ‘thorn in the flesh.’ He will eventually land at, ‘When I am weak, then I am strong.’ Before he arrives at that conclusion, he makes what we would consider to be a unnatural remark. He says, ‘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.’ We do not naturally ‘take pleasure’ in ‘infirmities…in needs…in persecutions…in distresses.’ That is the result, not of human will or ability, but of the ‘sufficient Grace of Christ.’  Only Christ can enable us to ‘take pleasure’ in all the most difficult aspects of the Christian experience. Having said that, only Christ can lead us to the conclusion that, ‘when I am weak, then I am strong.’ Christ enables us to understand that the less we rely upon our own intellect, skill, personality, education, pedigree, or any other human quality, the more we rely upon Christ and the strength which He supplies. Physical, mental, and emotional weakness opens the door for spiritual strength. Christ then receives the glory for every accomplishment. We do not end with monuments to man, but with the magnification of Christ. This makes these ‘infirmities,’ and all the other difficulties something in which we can ‘take pleasure,’ ‘for when I am weak, then I am strong.’ 

Our Good and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that even our infirmities come from You. 
We praise You, that You enable us, to take pleasure in them. 
To the praise of Your Eternal Glory. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning