But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan’s messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to the LORD about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. The LORD sometimes gives us ministries of being, rather than ministries of doing. God’s primary concern for us, as whole persons, begins with our spiritual well-being so that we can have a personal, trusting relationship with the One who created us. He brings meaning to our lives.

God often uses bitter experiences

to make us better.

Our Daily Bread – September 20, 2002