(6) Accept Help Pt. 2

There is another important principle we can learn from Paul about accepting help from God. We must choose to submit to God’s will even if it is not what we desire.

Paul desired to have his pain removed. He asked God to remove it. God did not. And He may never change our physical weakness, disabilities, or afflictions. God may choose to change your circumstances or He may not. Either way, he has a purpose and plan to use it for your good and His glory.

But God doesn’t just say, “No, I will not change your circumstances, I will not remove this physical challenge.” He also provides all we need to face our challenges in a way that honors Him. God may be merciful and remove our physical problems or God may be gracious in empowering us to endure them. Notice how God responded to Paul’s prayer for the removal of his torment in 2 Corinthians 12:9. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Don’t feel like God has abandoned you because He has not changed your physical circumstances or because He has not healed you. God has not abandoned you. God is right there, eager to provide the strength, attitude, and character to rise above the challenge and brilliantly display the glory of God in spite of it.

We need to adopt Paul’s response when God chooses not to remove our physical weaknesses or problems.

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10That'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 12:9-10)

Paul chose to accept God’s will in not removing his “thorn.” He actually chose to look at it as an asset! He chose to be glad and take pleasure in his thorn in the flesh and all the other physical problems he faced.

How could he do that? He listened to God and believed God’s Word about the benefits of his physical problems. He chose to take God’s view that the continual torment he faced was a benefit to him, not a curse. He could chose to take on this perspective because he chose to care more about the glory of God, the development of Christlike character and the demonstration of the character of Christ than he did about his own comfort. And if God said that physical weakness and torment would bring greater glory to Him, Paul was willing, even happy to let it continue. Accepting God’s help means accepting it even if it is not the kind of help we, in our humanity would prefer. It means accepting God’s help to continue facing the challenge, pain, or illness. Choose to believe that God’s grace is sufficient!

Next: (7) Accepting Help From Others