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. 2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

What in the world can the writer of today’s verse mean when he says he takes pleasure in sickness, insults and poverty? Then he sums all these issues up with the final word distresses. Who in their right mind, likes any of these things? The word distresses, that Paul says that he takes pleasure in, means being put into a tight place; like being backed into a corner. Have you felt that the circumstances, the people or even just your own past decisions have backed you into a blind alley? Today’s wonderful news that Paul shares with us is that even at those seemingly hopeless moments when we are surrounded on every side by problems, God is always and entirely in control. He gives us something even greater than deliverance from them: He gives us grace in them, and even in the middle of our distresses, He offers us His strength!