Inspiration
Spiritual Barometer
This question, “where am I in Christ” came to mind after reading 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10. “…. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Infirmities implies, sickness or bodily disease, imperfections or weaknesses, moral or spiritual weaknesses and defects. To reproach means, to blame, disgrace, discredit. In necessities, meaning in want, in persecutions, signifying the hostility and ill treatment Paul endured for the Gospel. In distresses, this culminates every emotional and physical pain Paul sustained. Even to his death Paul suffered and to top it off, all these adjectives are pluralized, written in continuous tense, this was ongoing.
I find myself at times complaining about the struggles I encounter, the fusses, the battles, how much I am misunderstood and the negativity I have to endure when I try to do or speak good. This scripture made me check myself through a spiritual barometer. In chapter 11 Paul explained the sufferings he faced, in labours more abundant, in strips above measure, in prison more frequent, in deaths oft. Five times received 39 stripes, three times beaten with rods, stoned once. trice suffered shipwreck and the list goes on, vs. 22-30.
Saints of God, are we at the point in our Christian lives where we can strongly say as Paul did, I will glory in my infirmities or I take pleasure in infirmities? The fact is Paul implied that this is one way of measuring our relationship with Christ. Because, when we are weak He makes us strong and our strength here suggest the power of Christ that rest upon us.
Are you facing tough times right now, search your heart, are you rejoicing or are you complaining?
God Bless
Owen Mitchell
For
Walk good in Christ
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