So Utterly Burdened

Many leaders put on a mask of invincibility. They don’t want to show any signs of weakness, so they cover up their vulnerabilities with stories of wealth and health, prosperity and prowess, strength and success. Deceased North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il once claimed to have shot five holes in one during his first attempt at playing golf. Shirtless Vladimir Putin has carefully constructed a macho image. Leaders like these will not tolerate any chink in their armor.

Sometimes we as Christians do the same thing. We don’t want others to see our struggles and stumbles. We fear that we will be reduced in the eyes of our brothers and sisters. They will consider us weak if we weep and failures if we fall.

Yet, Paul said exactly the opposite to the Corinthians: “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.” When I read that I had to wonder why Paul wrote it. Why did he want the Corinthians to be aware of his afflictions? Paul wanted to be an example to them:

• They were a proud congregation enamored with the spectacular and needed to learn that God is with the humble and contrite, the weak and fallen, the ridiculed and rejected.
• Paul had learned to rely on God (v. 9). They needed to learn the same.
• Paul had set his hope on God (v. 10). They needed to do the same.
• Paul desired their prayer support (v. 11). How could he get that if they were unaware of his needs?

As we allow another to see our brokenness, we allow them to also see God’s amazing grace. We give them hope that they, too, are candidates themselves for God’s comfort and help.