-Strength for Today-"The Sufficiency of Grace" - 2 Corinthians 12:2-10.

     Paul taught us that contentment is possible, no matter how dire our circumstances might be. Because contentment doesn’t require comfort; you can have it in even dire circumstances. The secret to Paul’s contentment was in knowing Christ's strength was perfected in his weakness, and this this gave him a liberating mindset. That’s why he could say, even from a Philippian jail, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”- Philippians 4:11-13.

   I’ve found that suffering is a delicate subject that most people won’t talk about, because it’s not an easy subject to address. And even as I address you this morning, I realize I'm writing to people who’ve known a depth of suffering to which I’ve never known. But in no way do I wish to convey to you that I’m a “super-saint,” one knowing how to go through the tunnels of:

·       Disappointment, and

·       Grief without a glitch.  

    To be honest with you, I fail in my responses to adversity more than I’ve succeeded. It's a lot easier to sit here in my office this morning, writing to you about the bitter seed of suffering than it is to model those things that look good in print. Occasional I throw myself a “pity party, and no one shows up:

·       My heart is occasionally broken, and

·       My spirit takes a tumble.

   So if this’s what you’re experiencing today; I can identify with that! Today, as we face the fog of uncertainty, my desire for you and me is to:

·       Claim grace and

·       Display true grit,

    In the midst of our suffering, just like Paul did. And in this learning curve:

·       Wean ourselves from the rabid “pursuit of happiness”, which is

·       So prevalent in our culture today.

         Happiness, by the way, is a byproduct of contentment. And once Paul caught that concept, he lived it! I have to say that:

·       I'm not fully there yet, and

·       Most likely, neither are you.

     Therefore, as we press on together, growing and learning, and reminding ourselves of God’s grace; we can say as John the Baptist declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease” – John 3:30.

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD