the power in weakness

after years of being overweight and battling a number of health problems (notably, some nasty auto-immune problems), i've enjoyed remarkable health over the past 3 years or so. i lost about 30 pounds and kept it off. i learned good nutrition and discovered weight training. i've been in the best shape of my adult life, and for the most part, i've been illness-free.

until this past monday. and suddenly, the specter of another battle with an auto-immune condition (this one threatens my sight in my right eye) raises its ugly head. i hate being sick. and i hate auto-immune problems, which are mysterious and seem to delight in confounding the doctors. in our new situation here in montreal, i am learning to hate the vaunted canadian health care system, which has been slow to respond, required long waits, and delivered mediocre treatment. it hasn't been much fun. i know that in the grand scheme of things, my problems are relatively small. but they're a significant challenge to me.

"why does God allow such things?"

these episodes have been inconvenient and annoying and even frightening. on the surface of things, they aren't much of an encouragement to my faith.

yet i can't escape the knowledge that God's power is made perfect in weakness. i've never been partial to weakness, but i know it's true. and it is that power that i long to see made manifest in my life, even at some cost. there is no viable alternative; i am learning to walk by faith.


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. (2 corinthians 12:9-10)