The Hardest Gift

Corrie Ten Boom A Dutch watchmaker and Christian, who helped many Jews during the Holocaust The Hiding Place and The Tramp for the Lord She tells of a woman in Russia with MS

Who would have thought that multiple sclerosis could be a gift from God?

Glorying in our weaknesses distinguishes us from the world Have you ever noticed how unlike the world Christianity is? Paul knew the way of the world because he was once of the world Christ’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses

If we are going to distinguish ourselves from the world, we need to embrace the weaknesses This is what led to our salvation We understood that we couldn’t save ourselves

Glorying in our weaknesses distances us from our strengths Paul was not someone who had no strengths He had a lot to boast about when it came to his earlier life (I Corinthians) However, he chose to boast in his infirmities (2 Corinthians 11:30) Paul recalled an event 14 years ago in 2 Corinthians

He was taken to the third heaven to Paradise and he heard things impossible for him to utter This experience resulted in a “thorn in the flesh” lest he boast about it Paul wanted it removed and asked God to remove it three times God said “No” Paul called his thorn as a “messenger of Satan” The same event could be used by both God and Satan God for strengthen you Satan to tempt you

Glorying in our weaknesses displays Christ in us We glory in the state we are in because it’s Christ who shines Paul’s attitude changed after the Lord’s words The very thing that had troubled Paul was the thing that God used to move him into a stronger relationship in Christ A hard lesson to learn and live Hardest gift

God’s strength made greater through our weaknesses