Galatians 4:13
“but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time.”
It appears that Paul was sick or injured when at Galatia. So he had to stay there and convalesce. He used that opportunity to preach the gospel to the people of the town. That resulted in their salvation and the establishment of their church.
Paul may have been frustrated and worried about his health. In 2 Corinthians 11 he shares a list of all that happened to him through his service in the gospel. He was stoned and beaten and left for dead, shipwrecked three times, chased and persecuted, whipped five times and so on. His daily functioning may have been impaired as a result of all this.
Paul rested in the sovereignty of God. Whatever happened to him, he knew God was at work and would use him whatever the circumstance. He has to stay at Galatia. He may have wished he were well and wouldn't have to stop. However, because he trusted the Lord, he chose to grow and serve where he was. It ended with a church being born and a wonderful letter in scripture written.
Paul says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" He gives this advice immediately after he asks one of the leaders to assist in resolving the quarrel of some of the members. It hardly seems an occasion for rejoicing. Yet, he says it.
Of course we seek to resolve our difficulties, but we shouldn't let them get us upset. The Lord uses these to mature us and to build faith our faith. We usually can't change the circumstance, but we can change our attitude. We are to do more than tolerate, but to give thanks that He will use this to His glory.
Peter gives some insight as to how we are to view difficulties in I Peter 4:12, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you". We shouldn't be shocked. God's in control. We are to trust Him.
It's very easy to allow things to upset us. However, even though things are tough, we can have peace and joy on the inside. James puts it this way, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials", (James 1:2). We aren't just to tolerate, but to consider difficulties a joyful thing.
This hardly seems possible. Paul gives some insight in Romans 5:20, "The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more". It's the last phrase that's significant. Paul tells us that God will supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19). The Romans verse says that if our needs are greater, then His grace will increase.
We have to make that choice to rejoice. We ask Him for help and give thanks, believing He will assist. It's a choice. Proceed with it.
It is an act of faith. We don't always see the resolution. We are to give thanks even though it's not fixed. This doesn't mean we stop trying to resolve difficulties. We can still work towards it. However, we are to have a grateful attitude all along the way, regardless of the outcome.
We need to ask for His assistance. When Jesus told the apostles that they were to forgive always, their response was "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5). We say with them, "Lord increase our faith."
God, thank You for this reminder. The struggle can get us down. Lift us up to a higher level. Help us to thank You now, even before the relief comes. We know You are faithful and will help us.