If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:30 (RSV)
I know of a young pastor who was recently ordained to be the spiritual leader of the youth in his church. He was loved by the elders and appreciated by the pastoral staff of the Church. He had a gift for explaining and interpreting the Bible to help even the most illiterate person understand a passage. His only weakness was that he did not have a good memory of the verses. This made him frustrated and anxious when he had to speak without having a Bible in hand.
One day he was talking to a church member about his problem. The member told him it wasn't a real problem, just like in Paul's case it was God giving him a thorn in the flesh to keep him from boasting. He advised him to see this as a favorable situation to ask others for help while teaching them. What was perhaps a handicap for the young pastor became a favorable situation.
Paul understood and applied this same method to turn his weakness into a favorable situation of which he could boast. In fact, he wasn't bragging about himself, but rather about his weaknesses. It was a sign of humility that could encourage those who were weak in faith. By hearing Paul talk about his weaknesses, they would understand that he was no different from them. What in your life is considered a problem that can be changed into a favorable situation?
May the grace and peace of God be with you all.
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