You Need To Remember This When Adversity Comes Into Your Life.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  NASU 

• Adversity Has A Purpose 

The first purpose of adversity in Paul's life was to keep him from exalting himself.
 
2 Corinthians 12:7- there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! 
 
The apostle Paul said that his thorn in the flesh or adversity was given to him so he would not exalt himself. No one knows exactly what his thorn in the flesh was but we do know this, it was given to him to serve a purpose.
 
It was given to him so that he would not exalt himself. The Greek word for "exalt" means "to raise oneself over". The purpose of his adversity was to keep him humble or from exalting himself over others.
 
Paul thought he would be better off without this adversity, but God saw it differently. Many times in our own lives we believe we are better off without adversity, but God permits us to have it anyways. 

• Paul's Previous Prayer 

Paul challenged God on this issue of giving him a thorn in the flesh. He implores God three times to remove this adversity from his life, but God refuses to see it Paul's way.
 
2 Corinthians 12:8 - Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. NASU
 
It is not wrong to pray that your adversity be removed from your life, but don't lose your faith if God continues to allow the adversity to stay in your life. 

• Adversity's Other Purpose 

The other purpose of adversity is to have a better understanding of God's grace.
 
When we are going through difficult times and we think that we can not go another step that is when we need to quote verse 9 to ourselves - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  
 
Paul is having a change of mind. Instead of wanting his adversity to depart, he now sees it as a way to let the power of Christ dwell in him. He will be content with this weakness that he has prayed three times to be removed.
 
2 Corinthians 12:9-10  -...I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses… 

• Conclusion 

We need to know that God is aware of what is going on in our life and that His Grace is sufficient to get us through any adverse times we may encounter. 
 
Think On These:
 
Adversity is the only diet that will reduce a fat head.
 
He who swells in prosperity will most likely shrink in adversity.
 
All men need a faith that will not shrink when washed in the waters of adversity.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Share this Pump Up with others by Sharing on Your Facebook Page or Forwarding to a friend.