Paul's Paradox

"Paradox"
from the Greek "paradoxon"
which means "contrary to expectation".
(according to Merriam Webster online dictionary)

Joining together two concepts to say something that seems absurd.
That's what I think of as a paradox, and that's what I think of Paul's paradox.
"For when I am weak, then I am strong."

It all started with Paul's desperate pleas to be rid of his thorn in the flesh and getting this reply from the Lord.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

I wonder how long it took for those words to sink into his heart. Paul must have chewed on them for awhile. He couldn't possibly have reached his "coup de grace" to weakness overnight, reached this, "Most gladly, therefore, I will boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."( 2 Corinthians 12:9-10), in a matter of hours.
Such a decisive blow couldn't have come quickly and easily, for though it threatens all my norms regarding strength and weakness, it never seems to truly crush them.
Will it ever, I wonder? Why do I doubt that it can?

Paul didn't doubt it. He pushed his paradox to the edge of and beyond all that is natural in us. Take, for example, this crazy conclusion he puts at the end of this letter to the Corinthians.
"For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for."
Glad when we are weak!
I've never thought of weakness and joy in the same room, much less cozying up on a couch together.
I am familiar with getting deeply discouraged, angry at myself, frustrated at my weakness, but I'm rarely (okay, never) glad about it. Maybe, just maybe, I might say that weakness is tolerable as long as I am in the company of other weaklings, but now, if others look stronger than me, then I get really (tempera)MENTAL. Knowing I've failed or appeared weak sends my mind into a tailspin of self-torturing thoughts. I certainly have never conjured up happy thoughts at those times, never wished others to be stronger.

But the apostle Paul could think and say what appears nearly ludicrous to me, that he would, with all gladness, sweetly take pride, hold his head high, in his weaknesses. He would be well-pleased, be content, think good things about weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, difficulties!

Hold on!
Let's look at those five things again in slow-mo....

WEAK nesses,    IN sults,    dis TRESSes,    per seCUtions,    DIFFicul ties

Hello! That is an exact copy of my list of things to avoid! I thought it looked familiar.

What could make Paul be happy with this?!
Well, apparently, the Lord's words inspired him.
Curious now?
Do you want to take another look at what He said?
Maybe we can find the puzzle pieces to realizing Paul's paradox.

MY grace is enough to satisfy, to make you content,
paradox puzzle piece #1
How content am I with His grace? Do I live as if His grace is enough, always and in every situation?

MY miraculous power and deeds are fulfilled in the weakness that keeps you from being able to accomplish what you want.
paradox puzzle piece #2
Am I willing to give up pride in my own fulfillment in exchange for His?

paradox puzzle piece #3
Flesh cannot take pleasure in weakness because its only desire is self-fulfillment.
Am I taking up my cross daily, crucifying the flesh everyday?

If we keep walking in the flesh, looking at weakness from our perspective, all we'll see is what keeps us from being independent, from being able to do what we want, from being good enough.

In the Spirit, weakness is exactly where God takes what we can't do, to do what only He can.
Paradox puzzle solved. When we are sweetly pleased in our weaknesses, He is most glorified and we are most satisfied.