I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with verse 9. Relatively easy for me to believe it. Find myself regularly quoting it. Even often willing to share it. It’s a kingdom principle, after all. It’s a supernatural dynamic which, by faith, we can experience. Bring on verse 9!

But [the Lord] 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.

(2Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

There you go. Another reading of a well-known, and I think, a well-worn verse. All sufficient grace. Power made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I’m okay with a “thorn in the flesh” keeping me in line (v.7) if that means Christ’s power resting on me. Bring it on!

But then, verse 10! Screech! Slam on the brakes. Wait a minute! Really?!?

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.

(2Corinthians 12:10 ESV)

Maybe I can get to being content with weaknesses — with feebleness and frailty, with want of strength and capacity. Maybe, as other translations put it, I might even be able to believe that I can be more than just content but that I might even be able to take pleasure (CSB), or delight (NIV) in physical and emotional infirmities. But also in insults and hardships and persecutions and calamities? Wait a minute! I’m all for power, but at what cost? At the cost of that kind of weakness? Evidently.

Content with insults? Okay with mental injury when it’s for the sake of Christ? Fine with stress, even stress to the breaking point if it comes from wanting to follow Jesus? Accepting, maybe even welcoming persecutions from this kingdom because of my allegiance to another kingdom? Preferring distress and affliction to ease and comfort if it’s anguish suffered on behalf of the Savior?

Content? Really? I gotta chew on this.

What does it mean to take up my cross and follow Christ? Certainly the cross doesn’t bring to mind comfort. Yet, if I’m picking up what Paul is laying down, it can be carried with contentment. It can be regarded as good. Preferred over the alternative of not following Jesus. It can be chosen rather than chafed at. It can be born willingly, by His all sufficient grace, as we are transformed into believing that it’s just part of walking in the Way.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

And being strong is good, right?

O Lord, teach me, enable me, to be content with the hard stuff of weakness so that I might know the reality of Your presence and power.

By Your grace. For Your glory.