In 2 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul wrote about how he sought The Lord 3 times for a change in his life regarding what he described as a thorn in his flesh but God responded by saying My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Later in the chapter Paul is found saying that he began taking pleasure in the very situations that he once prayed to God to change. In 2Corinthians 12:10 he says Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christs sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I have come to the sobering conclusion that some situations, people, and problems in my life that I would rather not have to deal with werent meant to be changed by prayer but simply to keep me praying. Ive heard people say prayer changes things but there were times prayer didnt change anything regarding what I had petitioned God for. Instead of prayer changing the thing I prayed about, God caused a change in me by increasing my faith, understanding, patience, endurance, love, and determination to do His will. Today rather than take frustration from it, I have decided to take pleasure in being slandered by people that I have prayed for, gave to, encouraged, and advised countless times whenever they called me in need. Today rather than take fear from it, I have decided to take pleasure in the painful infirmities coming upon this temporary dwelling of my soul. I have decided to take pleasure in thise things that seek to take my peace. Im sitting here meditating on the numerous miracles I have been blessed to be a witness, partaker, and even recipient of which has brought me to a great realization. All those instances were simply answered prayers but I realize that it was not the lives of the people whose prayers I saw get answered that impacted my walk the most as a believer...It was the lives of those who I watched praise, worship, and love God even as God seemingly responded to their petitions by saying My grace is sufficient. It is not the ones who God healed that have impacted my life the most but those who I watched let go of this life with faith and gracefully reach for eternity. Even Jesus prayed to have the cup of suffering that he was predestined to drink removed from before him and that part of His petition was not granted but being an example still He continued to pray to the same God that would not remove cup. Could it be that Pauls mentality of taking pleasure in the very thing that he once prayed for God to remove was a mentality he adopted from Jesus? Hebrews 12:2 says Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The pleasure that Paul spoke about taking in infirmity, reproaches, persecutions, etc. came from the joy that was set before him. There is no pleasure in persecution, infirmity, or anything else Paul spoke about. You cant take something out that wasnt first in. Thats why Paul didnt say I take pleasure OUT but he said he takes pleasure IN. There is much pleasure in the joy of The Lord and that is what we must have to take pleasure in times and places where it does not already exist.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 22:05:30 +0000
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