Joel M Bradshaw

1I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows….7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 2, with emphasis)

Paul had experienced a tremendous spiritual encounter that caught him up in Heaven. The Apostle John would have a similar type of experience when he received and recorded the vision of the Apocalypse or what we call the book of Revelation. These are the kinds of things that I hear so-called prophetic YouTube videos speak about today. My first thought when I come across them is, “Seriously? You are the equal of Paul?”

The point of today’s blog isn’t Paul’s spiritual moment or even the messenger of Satan tormenting him. Although, most Christians do wonder what Paul’s issue was. My best guess is that it was something physical affecting his eyes. I want to highlight Paul’s repeated prayer and God’s double-answer.

1. It is good to pray for the end of your suffering. Paul did.
2. God is under no obligation to end your suffering. God said no to Paul!
3. God told Paul what instead He had given him.
4. God’s strength would be displayed in Paul’s weakness.
5. Therefore, Paul’s weakness was actually strength.

Do you see God’s grace that way? Is He enough for you? I type these words with horrible foot pain that has me hobbling around the house. I am fighting the temptation to be grumpy and short with my family. These verses are the anthem for Celebrate Recovery. When each of us submit our recovery to our Higher Power Jesus Christ, our weaknesses highlight His strength! He is the one providing the recovery. He gets the glory for our changes. We lean on Jesus, for when we are weak He is strong!

I have seen this for over half of my life. When I was 21 and in my senior year of college I was diagnosed with MS. Over the years I have endured pain, weakness, numbness, bouts of double-vision, dizziness, and light-headedness. My medication sometimes gives me flu-like symptoms that rob me of sleep and I wake up with the feeling that a truck has run over me. I am not much of a drinker, so I imagine that is what a hangover feels like!

I have learned what it means to feel weak. My ‘invincible 20’s’ were not invincible. I have held onto God’s answer to Paul for over 20 years. It forms a key basis of my prayer life. God, show your strength in my weakness. God be glorified in me. Help me to feel most satisfied in how you provide for me. Keep me content, Lord. May my weakness lead me to depend upon your strength. May this season of my life display your faithfulness. Even though my body is weak, may my trust in you be strong!

So now you, my friend. Go back up to those 5 points and see your story. What perspective do you maintain if God says NO. Is his grace enough? Does your difficult season lead you to depend up Him? Are you growing in trust? Are you content with God even when life stinks the most for you know that His grace is sufficient for you? He is at work in your story for His glory!–JMB