I love this picture of Apostle Paul.
It is a composite image created by the German State Police using historical documents that describe Paul’s physical appearance. (I know that the accuracy of these descriptions is difficult to determine.) I guess they must have followed the same process in producing the image as they would for wanted criminals or missing persons.
It makes him appear much more human than many of the artistic representations I have seen. I can identify with this man. He was not a Christian superhero. He was gifted and used by God in many ways, but he was also weak like any other human being. Paul was sharply conscious of one specific weakness. He talked about it and what he did about it in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
What Paul said about his own weakness has enabled me to deal better with mine. I have learned that my weakness actually helps me. I shared some of what I have learned in this message yesterday morning. Your weakness helps you because it keeps you humble and it makes you strong.
I confess it is hard for me to reach the same conclusion that Paul did. He actually said he liked being weak: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities . . .” (2 Cor. 12:10). He said it because he realized that he could not overcome nor eradicate his weakness, and that God would use Paul’s deficiency to display His all-sufficiency. So I am asking God to help me honestly say, “I like being weak, because my weakness magnifies God’s greatness.”
To think and talk this way seems strange. It is not how we naturally think. But Christians are unique in many ways. What do you think about this unusual way of viewing yourself? I’d like to hear from you about it. Take a minute and comment.
Dean H. Taylor 
That thought spoke to the very core of my weakness! And I needed to be reminded that the world’s view is not the answer but instead God’s grace is sufficent for ME! I am not so sure I like being in my weakness but I shall reflect on the power of my GREAT God.
Again, thank you Pastor for your blog…it’s always a great uplift in my daily walk with the Lord. I am so glad you are my Sheperd and not my “Paper Pastor”!
I have realized that in my weakness that it makes me depend on “my God”. Not easy to do, but I know it’s what God is teaching me to do. Reminds me not to be self reliant. In the past I have always viewed my weakness as being defeated, but I realize that is not the case. Thank you for your blog and taking the time to do it. I really appreciated reading them. Thank you for writing “Paper Pastors”. So thought provoking!!!