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i was reading my bible to today and i was overwelmed by the releveance of the scripture in this modern era. my reading today was on 2 corthenians 12 and i read about the vision of paradise, the thorn in the flesh, and the signs of the apostle, and the love of the church. the parts I have been paying particular attention to the verse 1-10 (vision of paradise, and thorn in the flesh)

I found it extremely telling that this man within the scripture would boast of other but not of himself, simply because he did not wish for others to think him above what they see of him or hear from him. I also take notice of what the lord had to say within these scriptures. the lord christ days: " my grace is sufficient for you. for my strength is made perfect in weakness". And so this man within the text says he is thankful for his infirmities, in perfections, and life trials and tributlations. I have often wonder how it is possible to be thankful for the struggles of life while going through the struggle. In hind sight we should all be able to say we are thankful for these trials and tribulations we go through. When the storm has passed we say thank you Lord. Do we ever say thank you Lord while in the midst of our storm or do we just cry out for help from the Lord to get us out of our storm so wwe can thank him at the end.

We say ...
I am experienced because i ave lived through...
I am wiser because i have been foolish...
I am strong because i have been weak...
I am a survivor because i ave struggled through..

but all that come have the struggle.

What do we say while in the midst of our storm?


And so the lord answered his call because he was not boasting of himself, and he was thanking for the struggle while in the struggle. Because the lord believed him sincere in his praise and in his faith.

Now I beliece when we cry out about our storms and the lord hears our prayer and blows the storm cloud away, that the storm cloud does not dissipate but moves elsewhere. so that we can go through that storm again until we get it right.



Below is the exact scripture and source link
http://www.youversion.com/
step one: browsw
step two. 2 corinthians
step three: 12


2 Corinthians 12
The Vision of Paradise

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Signs of an Apostle

11 I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced