...Then I am strong

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 "I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ will rest upon me...for when I am weak..then I am strong."
Paul's thorn-in-the flesh experience brought him to the position where he could fully allow the strength of Christ to be his strength. Sometimes today, I hear people say that "trouble makes you strong". I don't believe that's exactly correct. I've seen troubles destroy some people. I've seen trouble weaken others. I've experienced that in my own life. I have gone through trials that seemed as though they would never end..and I've gone through some that haven't ended yet..even though it's been years. So have some of you. I don't believe that there is anything inherent about troubles that result in making us strong emotionally or spiritually. The truth, as Paul stated so well, is that when we rely on Jesus Christ in our time of trouble, HE gives us strength. He lives in us. He imparts His strength to us, and when we receive it, we are made stronger.
God did not remove Paul's affliction..but He promised to demonstrate His power in Paul's life. Friend, when you are experiencing affliction that is deep, remember that God's power rests upon you. That alone should give us courage. Instead of recognizing our own limitations, may we turn to God to seek strength.
I believe that sometimes in weakness, when our need is great, and we know that there is nothing in or of ourselves that we could do, our worship deepens. In admitting our weakness, we affirm the strength of our God. We allow God to fill us with HIS power, He imparts strength to us that we could never muster up on our own.
God never intended for us to be weak, passive and ineffective...but life does provide hindrances and setbacks, and when they come, we must depend on God...for in Him, even when you are at your weakest, His strength will be the thing that will carry you.