AVENUE TO POWER

AVENUE TO POWER

READ:
2 Corinthians 12:1-10

I will...boast in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest
upon me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

When Tarah was in high school, she had a growing fear that she would someday battle a serious illness.  So she began to pray-asking God to spare her from this imagined illness.  Then she reached a turning point in her thinking, and she yielded her future to God no matter what.

Years later, Tarah's doctor found a cancerous tumor, which was successfully treated with chemotherapy.  Tarah says that because she had entrusted her future to God, she was ready when the disease came.  Her problem became an avenue for God's strength.

This idea of surrendering to God can be seen in Paul's life as well.  His surrender came after the problem-"a thorn in the flesh" -had developed (2 Corinthians 12:7).  Paul prayed repeatedly about this difficulty, pleading for the Lord to take it from him.  But God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (v.9).  Understanding this, Paul adopted a positive view:  "Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me....For when I am weak, then I am strong" (vv.9-10).

In facing our fears and struggles, it's vital that we yield totally to God.  When we do, God can use our problems as an avenue for His power. -Dennis Fisher

Whenever life's burdens oppress you
And trials are too much to face,
Remember God's strength in your weakness:
He'll give you His power and grace. -Sper
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Wielding our power is no substitute for yielding
our will to God's power.

INSIGHT
In 2 Corinthians 10-13, Paul defended his apostleship.  Here, he "boasted" of his personal spiritual experiences (vv.2-4).  He considered such boasting utterly distasteful (vv.1,5) but necessary to adequately refute his critics' arrogance about their own misguided spirituality.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace