An infirmity with a purpose
Paul was given an infirmity for a purpose. Since he had just told about ‘a man’ (himself), who had had a celestial mountain top experience, God gave a trial to him to keep him grounded.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be halted above measure” (2 Cor. 12:7).
Then in verse 8 Paul pleads with God to take it away. Notice how he is not pleading with Satan but God. He knew who holds the keys. God must have told him no because this was His answer to him:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9, 10).
There is a connection here between strength and weakness, infirmities and power, and oddly enough, pleasure.