Lessons from Adversity (Part Five)
He leads me …
We have been working through what Charles Stanley has to say about the benefits of adversity based on what we see about Paul throughout the New Testament. This time we look at another way that we are better off, after which some additional comments have be added.
12 LESSONS FROM ADVERSITY - Growing Closer to God Through Trials and Troubles[1]
Through tribulation and difficulty, Paul learned:
5. It’s important to see everything as coming from God. One of the most important lessons the Lord has taught me is that He uses everything, even the wrongs of others, for His purposes in my life. (See 2 Corinthians 12:7.)
2 Corinthians 12:7 in the Passion Translation provides some helpful footnotes. Here is what it says –2 Corinthians 12:7 (TPT)
Paul’s “Thorn”
7 The extraordinary level of the revelations I’ve received is no reason for anyone to exalt me.[a] For this is why a thorn in my flesh was given to me, the Adversary’s messenger sent to harass me,[b] keeping me from becoming arrogant.
Footnotes
2 Corinthians 12:7 The true character of spiritual revelations is that they exalt Christ, not people. It is a paradox that the greater our understanding of God, the less we truly know and the more humble we become. Paul refused to be exalted in the eyes of others. This is the nature of true apostolic ministry.
2 Corinthians 12:7 Or “to slap my face” or “to box my ears.” Paul did not have a demon, though it was possible that a demon followed him to harass and hinder. This is more likely a metaphor of the harassment he endured, the constant misunderstanding and persecution that came to him because of his faith in Jesus. There is no indication that this “thorn” was a sickness. In Paul’s list of hardships (2 Cor. 11:23-27) he does not mention a sickness or disease.
Like Paul we all need to be constantly reminded of our own weaknesses and inabilities, and that without the Lord we are nothing. If we have the equivalent of a tormenting thorn, it limits us in what we would like to do ourselves, and means that in order to see the right results we need to follow the leading of our awesome, majestic and gracious God.
As Christians we are watched by nonbelievers – especially when something goes wrong. They want to see if we will crack, do or say something that will make things worse. In the process we learn that it is not a sign of weakness to admit that we are wrong, or to walk away when necessary. The handling of the issue overall is what will make the impact. With the Lord’s help we can do what is right and effectively turn a negative situation into a positive one, and the Lord gets the glory.
One of the biggest difficulties between people who have problems with each other is forgiveness. When the victim considers how they have been treated, they feel that there is no way that they should they forgive. And yet, again with the Lord’s help, if they work through the process of forgiveness, they will feel a burden lift off their shoulders and they may well enjoy a good relationship with the other person as well.
As we look at examples like this we can reflect again on the words of Paul in Romans 8:28 which says –
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (NKJV underlining added)
[1] https://www.intouch.org/Read/Blog/12-lessons-from-adveristy
