Taking Pleasure in Infirmities???

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. 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. --2nd Corinthians 12:9-10

Meditate on these verses....It is the very wise person that understands that the sufferings experienced here on earth are to be rejoiced in because it is these very sufferings that cause us to talk to our Father in Heaven...to draw close to Him.  It is these very trials and afflictions that bring us to a place of dependence on Him.  We begin to see our own limitations and learn to draw on His strength and rely on Him.  Our humility increases  and consequently our worship of Him deepens. Thorns in the flesh are gifts from our Father in heaven that we are to take pleasure in and see as opportunities to surrender and watch Him work.

Instead of seeking deliverance from your troubles...seek what you really want in them.  HIM!  We pray for to our God to fix our problems but He does something better as we cry out.  He gives us Himself and truly delivers us from ourselves.  I have found as I go through trials and afflictions that even though I have much sorrow, I have in Him even greater joy because His presence is with me...He increases and I decrease.

Sometimes in our grief and sorrow we do not see the light at the end of the tunnel...all feels dark and unnavigable.  God gives light in the darkness....the dark, unnavigable tunnel with the Lord may just be the brightest and best place you can be.  Ask Him to teach you to glory in your tribulations  Acceptance of sorrow with joy is a beautiful place to be.