It is a paradox...
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It is a paradox of the Christian faith that the more obstacles we overcome, the stronger we grow and the more fervent is our witness for the love and power of God.
On his journey, Paul's life took many strange twists and turns -- from persecutor of the Christian church, to one who is persecuted and "gladly boasts of my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Persecution is painful. Targeted for the evil acting-out of someone else, the persecuted naturally wonders, "What have I done; why me?"
Paul knew the answer in his case. He was convinced that whatever persecution he had to withstand was well-deserved because of his past life. Reasons are not always that clear for us. We do know Jesus said, "You will be hated for my sake." Whether for this reason alone or for more specific reasons, persecution, the thorn in the side, is like a nail in a tire. Remove the nail and the tire deflates. Though picked up by accident and, at some point, it must be removed, the nail serves a purpose while in place. "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
- Perry-Daniel
