God's Glory Shining Through Our Weakness

7bTherefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.10Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10

Oh, this weather is difficult on the body as we get older.  As the damp, dreary days continue, so do the traveling aches and pains from joint to joint.  It is literally a "pain" getting older!  

Paul, during his ministry, endured many beatings - almost to the point of death at times.  With each beating, his physical body became weaker, yet his faith in God through Christ Jesus continued to grow stronger.  God's glory could be seen through Paul's many trials and hardships, for not only did his faith grow, but so did the Christian church throughout the lands.  He was willing to suffer, if that was what he must do, to help spread the gospel of Christ throughout the known world.  He chose to continue his ministry, despite the fact that God did not remove the afflictions from him as he requested through repeated prayers.  

We, today, still have many afflictions and events that may try to pull our faith away from God due to prayers not being answered as we would like them to be.  We may continue to have aches, pains, illnesses, financial difficulties, etc., but we can still use these difficulties in our lives to let our faith and love of God through Jesus Christ continue to shine forth from us for others to see.  Our continued faith, even during times of adversity, may be just what someone else needs to see.  Perhaps this is just what will lead them to a relationship with Christ - the continued joy and devotion of those going through difficult times to the One who controls all things to be used for His glory. 

Prayer

Lord,

We all dislike going through difficult times.  Some of us seem to go through more than others.  Help us to continue to let our love-light for You shine forth, even in our darkest situations, so that others that do not know You may come to see that a relationship with You is worth more than anything this world can possibly throw our way.  Amen.

~ Wendy Miller