What's So Good About Suffering? - Part 4

In recent weeks, I have struggled with accepting the physical limitations I am experiencing since receiving treatment for breast cancer, that included chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. I've been frustrated with the rate in which my energy and stamina is building. I didn't anticipate feeling fatigue, brain fog and depression, 18 months after my initial diagnosis.

I'm having to learn to say "no" to certain activities that I really don't want to, but my body is telling me otherwise. As I've wrestled with God about my discontentment, the phrase 'My grace is sufficient,' keeps coming to mind. This phrase is found in II Corinthians 12:7-10. As I read it from The Message version this week, I was comforted. It says:

"...I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down, what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first, I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, then he told me, 'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks, I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get the stronger I become."

After reading this passage, I realized some of the benefits of my limitations. First of all, I have been brought to my knees. I may not be able to do as much physically, but I can always pray. I may pray to God in my need and for the needs of others.

These limitations I am experiencing are humbling me. They are causing me to constantly turn to God for strength vs. my own energy or effort.

In admitting my weakness and need for God's strength, it deepens my worship and affirms God's strength.

Please pray with me and for me that I will quit focusing on the limitations, and accept these changes as a gift. A gift that draws me closer to Christ so that His strength may shine through me, not my own energy or efforts.

Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.