“For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12)
Do you know anyone who seems to enjoy describing everything going wrong with his or her body? You’re more likely to find it in older people. To be fair, they have more illnesses, injuries, and medical disorders to catalog and describe to whomever will listen.
Paul was very connected to his physical suffering, too. But he didn’t describe it with an attitude of, “I cannot believe all of this is happening to me!” Instead, he chose to say, “See that scar? I got that for Jesus’ sake. That one, too. Yeah, that one almost killed me. But it didn’t!”
He also found big purpose in all his wounds, scars, and aches; they contributed to bringing life – bold, healthy, eternal life – to all the people Paul reached with the message of Jesus’ life, death, and new life for us. Paul walked with death so others could come to life.
Think: Have you experienced any physical suffering? Do you see any greater purposes for it? Would it help if you did?
Pray: Read Romans 5:3-4 and thank God that your suffering always has a point.
Do: Listen this week to hear how people talk about their physical pain and suffering.