God's Glory Church

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:10 are a paradox. We don’t often think of difficulties in life as a sign of strength or joy. Our culture often celebrates the physically and mentally strong, and it’s easy to exalt the successful and talented.

But Paul says that God works differently among those who follow Him. Instead of looking for those who are naturally talented and strong, God likes to use those who are weak and humble.

Our natural success and talents can get in the way of God’s work in our lives, but when we are weak and helpless, we must rely only on God’s strength.

This is why Paul says that he delights in hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, because it is at such times that God can be his strength and joy. God builds character in times of trouble.

Paul was not a naturally gifted speaker or writer, and yet God worked mightily in his weakness to produce the powerful speeches and letters that are part of the Scriptures. God’s power worked through Paul’s weakness to accomplish what Paul could not do on his own.

This perspective changes our lives. It is in moments of anxiety, weakness, or difficulty that God wants to be our strength. It is in times of persecution and hardship that God does some of His deepest work in our lives. If we are in a relationship with Him and depend on His strength, then He will be with us in times of weakness. He promises to be our strength in times of trouble.