1. The Hardest Gift

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. God’s strength made greater through our weaknesses