Have you ever had a lingering struggle? Could be a person who is making your life a living hell, a temptation that continues to rear its ugly head, or a physical infirmity that aches on day after day? If you have this experience, you are not alone. Many (if not most or EVENTUALLY ALL) people have such a prickly issue in their lives.
- If you have such a persistent difficulty, what do you call “it”?
- If you have such an unending pain, how do you deal with it?
- If you have such an aching heart, is there any hope?
Well, in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, the Apostle Paul is talking about a persistent ache in his life … he calls it his “thorn in the flesh.” But, do you know what else he calls it? A gift. WHAT?!!?!? That’s right, He calls it a grace gift from God.
In what universe is chronic pain a gift? Well, for those “in Christ” persistent pain is a fresh opportunity to to experience the power of God in our lives.
As Tony Evans would say of this passage, “When I have a really bad headache, I take extra strength pain reliever because it has the power to address my problem. In other words, my weakness drives me to a pill so that its power may be demonstrated in my life. If not for the weaknesses that God allows us to endure, we would lack opportunities to seek His sufficient grace and experience His perfect power.”
What satan intends for evil, God can use for good in the lives of those who know Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). How does that happen? We will look at that this Sunday in part 3 of our “Mission:Own” sermon series at Wildwood Community Church. Before taking the Lord’s supper in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services, we will see how our steady struggles can drive us to dependence upon the Lord, and allow us to experience the power of God in our lives. He is sufficient for us in the midst of all our struggles.
Join us Sunday in our study … and bring friends!