Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
Verse 10, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
The strength that we need to live day by day only comes when we realize how weak we are. It seems to me this is why Paul said he took pleasure in things that do not sound too pleasurable. He had learned a valuable lesson that with these challenges came great strength that he so desperately needed. In verse 9, he refers to this strength as the "power of Christ."
We are incapable of living the victorious Christian life in the power of our flesh. The sooner we come to this realization, the better. There must be a daily seeking for God's will and power to live whatever He has planned for us. Our goal must be to live each day for Christ's sake. Every decision we make should be with Jesus Christ in mind. When we come to the end of our day, we give Him all the praise and glory for enabling us to carry on in His strength.