What Has God Said?

7 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.
8 Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away.
9 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.
10 I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.`(GNT)

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The notion that life will become comfortable and all rosy when you give your life to Christ may not be entirely correct. Although we have a father who listens to our cry, and a saviour who saves us from falling and from evil. We also have an advocate who pleads our cause before the father. Yet, the devil still has a way of bringing afflictions against the Saints. This is one of the many reasons why we need the ministry of the Holy Spirit to help us in times of trials and temptations as this.

As a Christian, there will be circumstances and events that are aimed at challenging your faith in God. It could come in different ways, but in it all, ensure that you keep standing, and most importantly, hold on to God's word concerning that situation. That word will be your anchor in the midst of the storm of life.

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These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

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We take authority over situations and circumstances by confessing God's word about those circumstances. Apostle Paul would have lived in ignorance and could even blame God for his ailment if he did not know what God had to say about it. As holy and anointed as he is, it would be expected that God will remove all his challenges especially healthwise. God's response however was that Paul has been given grace to manage it.

When it seems that your prayers are not being answered, when you think God is far away, when situations make people say like Job's wife curse God and die, you will hear God's word about it and hold on tight to it. Do not only hold on to another person's experice or testimony, but let God tell you something you can challenge him with.

God's word gives us assurance of comfort and solace during trying times, and victory over all challenges. His word helps us draw strength out of our weaknesses and it guides us to make right choices When the will of God concerning a situation is unknown, man lives life by chance, luck, or human knowledge.

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And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)