Undaunted.Life: A Man's DevotionalSample

PHYSICAL, Day 3: Power from Weakness

At this point, we have talked quite a bit about physical strength and readiness. We have espoused the importance of men caring for their bodies and making sure that they see the care for their bodies as something that is honoring to God. Though, it begs the question: What if you have a physical affliction or disability?

This is an important topic to discuss at this point in the devotional because we don’t want to go too far down the rabbit hole of physicality without acknowledging where different people are with their bodies. We do need to establish up front that God CAN use ALL OF US regardless of the current state of our physical health or strength. The perfect example of this is the Apostle Paul.

To put it bluntly, Paul had a major physical affliction. The exact nature of his condition has been the source of much debate amongst Biblical theologians and historians, but the severity of this ailment is not in question. Most evidence supports that this was a physical problem, and it caused Paul a great deal of hardship throughout his ministry.

When Paul describes his struggle in 2 Corinthians 12, we get insight into what he wanted God to do with his affliction and what God’s answer was. Paul doesn’t say that he asked God politely to remove his physical ailments; he says that he pleaded with God on multiple occasions to rescue him from it. He felt that the disorder was diminishing his capacity to serve God, but as it turns out the opposite was true.

Here are three lessons God is teaching us in his response to Paul:

1. Talk to me when you are hurting.

2. I may allow you to hurt so that you can remain humble.

3. I can use your physical weakness to show off my power.

Why would he teach Paul and us these things?... because his glory and the Gospel is infinitely more important than our comfort (you might want to read this sentence again if it didn’t quite hit you).

So, if you have a physical ailment or disability, look at it as an opportunity that God granted to you specifically. It is an opportunity for you to become closer to God through communicating directly with him. It is an opportunity for you to seek humility so that you can relate better to those around you. It is an opportunity for you to be a conduit through which God can show the world his power.

If you have a physical ailment or disability, can you see where God has or has tried to use it for his glory? If you don’t have a physical ailment or disability, have you seen God work through others men’s physical afflictions?