“Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 The Message
Human beings all suffer. Some of us suffer through prolonged physical pain and illness. Other people suffer from psychological pain. Many others suffer from anxiety or loneliness. Sometimes our suffering becomes evident to others around us and other times we may feel, perhaps rightly so, that no one else knows or understands what we are experiencing.
In the scripture from 2 Corinthians Paul writes about his own limitations and suffering. I don’t think Paul is writing about some minor ailment, since earlier in the chapter he describes begging for God to heal him. Instead of receiving a change in his physical being, Paul is given a change in his point of view. And that changes everything. What a wonderful gift to receive.
I bet you know people like Paul who have turned a weakness into their greatest strength. People who have allowed God’s Spirit to transform their tremendous struggles into loving care for others. I’m sure it did not happen overnight and I bet Paul didn’t feel as upbeat about his suffering every day. But the truth remains that God can transform our pain.
When I read these words from Paul I experience hope. In life there will be suffering. There is nothing we can do to change that. But God can help us turn our weaknesses into our strengths.
God may we have humble spirits and learning souls. Transform our suffering into loving kindness! AMEN
some comfort and joy 