“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (King James)
What does Paul mean in this verse when he says that he “takes pleasure” in all of these difficult circumstances? He is trying to communicate that if his money were taken, he would have greater riches. His weakness becomes his strength. When Paul was isolated and placed in solitary confinement, then Jesus was near. His weakness became his strength. If they beat him and he hurt, then he had the fellowship of Christ’s suffering—his weakness became his strength. If his body became crippled and he was no more able to lean upon the arm of his flesh, then he had to lean on the Everlasting Arms. Paul took pleasure in these things. God is waiting to make you strong. There is power in our suffering. Suffering is not going to hurt you; it is going to strengthen you.
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