THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV
WHEN SICKNESS HAPPENS: BOAST
One of the things we do when we are sick is we take a sick day off from work. Here is one company’s new sick leave policy:
- SICKNESS: No excuse. We will no longer accept your doctor’s statement as proof, as we believe that if you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.
- LEAVE OF ABSENCE (for an operation): We are no longer allowing this practice. We wish to discourage any thought that you may have about needing an operation. We believe that as long as you are employed here, you will need all of whatever you have and should not consider having anything removed. We hired you as you are and to have anything removed would certainly make you less than we bargained for.
- DEATH (other than your own): This is no excuse. There is nothing you can do for them, and we are sure that someone else in a lesser position can attend to the arrangements. However, if the funeral can be held in late afternoon, we will be glad to let you off one hour early, provided your share of work is ahead enough to keep the job going in your absence.
- DEATH (your own): This will be accepted as an excuse, but we would like a two-week notice, as we feel it is your duty to teach someone else your job.
In 2 Corinthians 12, it appears the Apostle Paul didn’t take sick days either. Instead, he boasted in his weakness because He knew God was going to give him strength. Paul had done his praying and He knew God was doing His working. There are times when we ask God to heal us and He doesn’t because He is going to use that sickness for His bigger purpose.
Our sickness can be an opportunity to share our faith with others and brag on God. What currently is the biggest weakness in your life? Ask God to strengthen or heal that weakness. Then ask God how you can boast in that weakness today.
