Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: Infirmities
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10 NKJV)
I must confess. I have never really reached that point in my life where my troubles make me glad, and I’m feeling convicted about it. Have you ever noticed that the more you try to do what God wants, the more problems or troubles seem to come your way? I know this is natural because good naturally encounters resistance in this world, and I’m not really surprised by it. But take pleasure in it?
Paul was so intense in his desire to be like Christ that he wanted to share in Christ’s sufferings. And Paul often told others to copy him. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (Phl 3:17 NKJV) Suffering, in whatever form, has a way of narrowing our focus. When death is at the doorstep, things suddenly shift in their importance. A job-loss causes us to reprioritize. Think about this -- if my desire is to be more like Christ, which it should be, should I pray for God to do whatever it takes to mold me, even if it means making me suffer? The answer, I believe, is yes. That’s tough to do. _________________ snookie
You are right. It is very hard to do. I don't think God expects us to be happy about the trials themselves but rather for the good that comes from having faced and conquered them. Only then do we see the true value of the trial. If life was always easy, we would never grow. Maybe that's why they are called "growing pains". LOL
I suspect there are many different views concerning the subject of suffering in Christ. My view is that you don't have to pray for sorrows. Sorrows will find you and try you on many fronts. Christ had infirmities, but they were different from those mentioned of Paul. My view is that Christ suffered mentally in ways that we cannot imagine due to his knowledge and power of understanding what the future held for himself and humanity. My understanding is that Paul suffered from physical pain, or at least from physical limitations.
I believe you can find many sorrows by simply praying, "Thy will be done, not mine" and truly mean it. Then, try to live out your prayer on a daily basis.
My opinion is that if you are truly concerned and serious about the subject, you have already made the first step toward putting your arms around sorrow.
Al
You have hit upon sometning I have thought on before. Jesus was a man but He was also still God and He did know all things. That must have been so hard to bear. I am thankful I do not know the future. It is hard enough to take trials and troubles 1 at a time. I cannot imagine having to worry about them before they ever arrive.
I was speaking more to the various trials that we all go through which cause suffering. Sorrow would be our emotional response to the suffering, and true, we don't want to seek that out. God compares us to fine metals that need to be heated by fire to remove the dross. The fire is what we should basically be welcoming if Christ is our model. Otherwise, the dross remains.
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