Delighting in insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties

[Made In USA]

 I believe this scripture is profound. What do you think? I think it may be very similar to the beatitudes that Jesus gave. Thank you.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in [d]insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

[Kelly2363]

1 hour ago, Made In USA said:

 I believe this scripture is profound. What do you think? I think it may be very similar to the beatitudes that Jesus gave. Thank you.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in [d]insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

 

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12

 

Is that the semblance of similarity you speak of?

[BibleStudent100]

4 hours ago, Made In USA said:

 I believe this scripture is profound. What do you think? I think it may be very similar to the beatitudes that Jesus gave. Thank you.

Sometimes Satan’s attacks come when we do not feel spiritually strong; after all, a lion pounces upon a weakened animal. Family problems, economic hardship, or illness can sap our spiritual strength. But we should never give up in doing what is pleasing to God, for Paul said: “When I am weak, then I am powerful.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) Paul meant that the power of God can make up for our human weaknesses, provided we turn to the Lord for strength. David’s victory over Goliath shows that God can and does strengthen his people. Present-day Witnesses of the Lord, both in Worthy Christian Forums and outside of this encouraging forum can testify that in times of extreme crisis, they have felt the strengthening hand of God. 

These individuals no doubt feel like Daniel, who was energized hearing the consoling words from the angel: “Do not be afraid, O very desirable man. May you have peace. Be strong, yes, be strong.” That loving touch and those upbuilding words seemed to be just what Daniel needed. The result? Daniel declared: “As soon as he spoke with me I exerted my strength and finally said: ‘Let my lord speak, because you have strengthened me.’” Daniel was now ready for another challenging assignment.—Daniel 10:18, 19.  And we all can feel the same when disheartened:  we are ready for another challenging assignment because MORE will be on the way!
 

[Made In USA]

4 hours ago, Kelly2363 said:

 

 

Is that the semblance of similarity you speak of?

I'm not sure I understand your question. I think Paul is  saying he was blessed for enduring hardship and the beatitudes say the same thing.  

[Made In USA]

1 hour ago, BibleStudent100 said:

Sometimes Satan’s attacks come when we do not feel spiritually strong; after all, a lion pounces upon a weakened animal. Family problems, economic hardship, or illness can sap our spiritual strength. But we should never give up in doing what is pleasing to God, for Paul said: “When I am weak, then I am powerful.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) Paul meant that the power of God can make up for our human weaknesses, provided we turn to the Lord for strength. David’s victory over Goliath shows that God can and does strengthen his people. Present-day Witnesses of the Lord, both in Worthy Christian Forums and outside of this encouraging forum can testify that in times of extreme crisis, they have felt the strengthening hand of God. 

These individuals no doubt feel like Daniel, who was energized hearing the consoling words from the angel: “Do not be afraid, O very desirable man. May you have peace. Be strong, yes, be strong.” That loving touch and those upbuilding words seemed to be just what Daniel needed. The result? Daniel declared: “As soon as he spoke with me I exerted my strength and finally said: ‘Let my lord speak, because you have strengthened me.’” Daniel was now ready for another challenging assignment.—Daniel 10:18, 19.  And we all can feel the same when disheartened:  we are ready for another challenging assignment because MORE will be on the way!
 

I have felt insulted and hated and it hurt a lot. I talked to the Lord about it and remembered Paul's words about being strong in weaknesses and i then felt joy instead of sorrow.

[LearningToLetGo]

6 hours ago, Made In USA said:

 I believe this scripture is profound. What do you think?

When we feel strong we trust in ourselves. When we feel weak we trust in the Lord.

[Made In USA]

2 hours ago, LearningToLetGo said:

When we feel strong we trust in ourselves. When we feel weak we trust in the Lord.

That reminds me of another scripture. I'm not sure if Paul is saying we share in the benefit of his sufferings or if we will suffer ourselves as well. I do like the part  where he talks about trusting in God who raises the dead. Perhaps our sufferings teach us to trust in God as well. 

 

1 Corinthians 13 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are [c]ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are partners in our sufferings, so also you are in our comfort.

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in [d]Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 [e]Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, 10 who rescued us from so great a danger of death, and will rescue us, He [f]on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 if you also join in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons in our behalf for the favor granted to us through the prayers of many.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Made In USA