But then, God didn’t create us to go it alone. His design is for us to trust in Him and rely on Him, and allow Him to give us the strength to face life’s challenges. Paul discovered this strength, and some very important principles too.
So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)There are three key steps to receiving God’s help with our physical challenges. First, we must choose to turn to God for understanding and wisdom rather than our own ability to interpret and solve our problems. And so, we return to the critical issue of perspective; how we view our life circumstances.
Many times we fail right here. We try to make sense of things from a human perspective. We say things like, “This isn’t fair!” “There’s no good that can come from this!” “This is the worst thing that could happen!” We view our physical challenges as things to be removed at all costs. We see no benefit in them. This is not God’s thinking.
Paul suffered from some kind of physical challenge that caused him great pain. This physical problem encountered by Paul was no small thing. He was tormented by it. Literally, he was constantly beat up by it. And he wanted to get rid of it. So, he prayed and asked God to remove it. But God showed Paul that His sovereign plan was behind his life circumstances. His physical challenges were there by God’s design.
Look again at what Paul says. God wanted to keep Paul from being prideful so God gave Him a thorn in His flesh. This is important. Satan didn’t want to keep Paul from pride. God did. Satan was not ultimately behind the physical pain in Paul’s life. God was. But, it was Satan who was the direct agent of the pain. God gave Satan permission to inflict physical pain on Paul because Paul’s character was more important than his comfort.
God will sometimes bring physical pain or challenges – even severe ones – into our lives directly in order to discipline us (see 1 Cor. 11:30 & Heb. 12:6-10). Other times He will do it indirectly by giving Satan permission to do something. Either way, we can be sure that it is not hap-hazzard or without purpose. God does everything for a purpose. God orchestrates physical pain, suffering, and challenges in our lives to teach us to rely on Him, trust Him, and develop the character of Christ in us. So, what’s more important to you, comfort, or Christlikeness? Will you adopt God’s view of your physical pain, suffering, weaknesses?
We naturally think wrongly about physical problems. We need to accept help from God in thinking correctly. We need God to give us His perspective. This will not be easy. We will keep going back to thinking the pain is pointless, purposeless. We will always be prone toward thinking the only good outcome is for it to be removed. We will always be in danger of resentment and bitterness over prolonged physical pain. We need to be determined to learn and accept God’s view of our physical challenges.
Accept help from God in thinking biblically about your physical make-up and challenges. God has a purpose and plan for your good and His glory. Even when you feel like you’re just getting beat up every day. Who will you believe, you, or God? Your feelings, or His Word? What will you live for, your comfort, or Christlikeness?
Next: (6) Accept Help Pt. 2
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