Struggling with suffering? Look to St. Paul!

When we look at the famous Scripture passage where God tells St. Paul that His "power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9): although God did not take away Paul's thorn and suffering, was he still healed?

Following the definitions of healing- to be set free to love the way you were created to love and to be able to bring your suffering with you as you go wherever the Lord calls you- St. Paul was indeed healed.

St. Paul, despite his past and the sufferings and persecutions he endured, was able to spread the Gospel around the known world and profoundly influence and guide the Church, which still impacts us in the modern age. Through his suffering and submission to God's Will, St. Paul found an even greater joy and purpose that further glorified God and strengthened the Church.

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In the latest installment of the St. Paul Center's Speaker Series, Dr. Breuninger talks about the origins of wounds and the proper steps toward healing.

Dr. Breuninger explains that these strategies only create barriers and are not the solution for healing. Healing is found by facing, acknowledging, and accepting our wounds and being vulnerable in our relationship with Christ and those we are closest to. If those weaknesses and wounds are embraced and accepted, then we shall find freedom, peace, and healing.

You can Dr. Breuninger's full talk below:

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#stpaulcenter #drmattbreuninger #speakerseries

[bdubb]

The thorn was a demon bothering him and stirring up things. It helped keep Paul focused. Shalom

[sade]

I just read this yesterday… what is God trying to tell me?! 🙏

[mctischler]

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.

St John Henry Newman

[logicalnotes]

Paul was not healed. So why imply he was??

[cheryl]

I have never understood this, paul wasnt healed. Or embracing sufferings, no one wants sufferings in their life. I just think God knows better then me, and thats the only thing i understand. Do iike to suffer no i do not.

[Mockerpot]

Why is suffering so much are part of Christianity… surely a compassionate god would eliminate it or else what is he good for