I Will Boast Of The Things Which Concern My Infirmity

To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2 Corinthians 11:21-30

Peter reminded us of the suffering Christ took upon himself. We are reminded that Jesus suffered on our behalf. Our suffering may not be as deep or as long at what Paul suffered, but he did it all because of his love for Jesus.

Wherever we encounter suffering, may we remember what Jesus endured for us.

The school of suffering teaches us lessons that we could learn in no other classroom.

Our Daily Bread – September 19, 2015