Paul was the greatest leader of the early Christian church. Yet he struggled when his body was afflicted with the disease. Three times he pleaded with God for healing, but rather than heal him, God's response was, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Upon reflection, Paul concluded that his illness was to keep him from becoming conceited because of the great revelations God had given him. He saw his physical malady as God's positive, loving discipline. As a result, he was able to say, "That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

At the end of his life, Paul could say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful" (2 Timothy 4:7). God's loving discipline had served its purpose, and Paul had nothing but gratitude in response.

Though our initial response to God's discipline may be to recoil in pain and question what He's doing, if we continue to listen for His voice, we'll likely discover that it's during our moments of deepest pain when we experience God's love most intensely.

Take some time to pray. When you talk to God...

• Confess that you don't always understand His ways;
• Ask for His wisdom in recognizing His will;
• Commit yourself to trusting Him, no matter what the cost.

Take time to reflect...

How does suffering make you a better witness for Christ?

How long should you continue to pray for healing when God doesn't seem to answer?

What would you like to be able to say at the end of your life?

Consider these passages for further study on Suffering:

2 Chronicles 7:14

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Psalm 30:2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,
    and you healed me.

Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

No matter what we struggle with, we learn more about our weaknesses. In our weakness, we find it hard at times to trust and follow the Lord. These thoughts gave me hope that through our weakness, we can give our strength to the Lord. Thoughts are of Gary Chapman.