Pastors in small towns and rural villages get sick. I have had a cold that has laid me pretty low for a week or more now. This morning is Labor Day. I sit in my office trying to accomplish a few things but my sinuses are distracting me: they feel like a little more pressure could cause them to explode. The pressure from my glasses on my nose and across my temples is noticeable, and may easily be described as “more than annoying”.

Okay, I have been afflicted with the cold in a 'serious' way for a little over a week. It is time for it to move on - I did try giving it away yesterday but no one would take it! It is time for God to make me all better now that I have experienced the weaknesses and frailties of my flesh. I'm ready to be energetic and strong again.

But suppose, in God's will, I stuff from sinus problems for the rest of my life? Suppose, that every morning, I have to fight the desire to just close my eyes and hope it all goes away, instead of forcing myself to think, to concentrate on a task. Yes, I know that I am revealing how pathetic I really am. Others have faced difficulties every day and somehow march on.

The point of all of this is: would I find God's grace to be sufficient in the face of difficulties of various sizes and shapes that I might be facing? Would I rise up to live the life that I have been called to live trusting the Lord for strength or trusting in my own strength? Would I be content and happy with what God was enabling me to accomplish, or would I say, “God, I could do so much more, if I were health!”?

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Co 12:9 ESV)