A re-post from April 2011 that comes from 2 Corinthians 12. Such a powerful verse to remember whenever we face trials that seem unbearable.
But before we get to that, may I just say thank you to you? Thank you for digging deeper in the Word with me over these past (almost) two years. Thank you for allowing me to share what God is doing in my life and for even considering that what God is doing in me might be worth reading for you. Studying His word and getting to share it with you is truly one of the greatest joys in my life. So, thank you. Thank you. Okay, now on to the good stuff...
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"To keep me from becoming conceited...there was given me a thorn
in my flesh, a messenger of satan, to torment me. Three times I
pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-8
Thorns hurt. They are alien, unnatural objects that when stuck in our
flesh demand our attention until they are removed. In the above verse,
Paul is not referencing a thorn that comes from a plant, but rather the
paralyzing, pummeling, and painful thorns we encounter in life --
crumbling marriages, chronic illness, financial devastation, anxiety,
shame over past failures, persistent doubt, or grief that just won't
fade.
Jesus also pleaded with His Father three times in the Garden that His
thorn, His future suffering, would be taken from Him. Sometime during
that conversation with God, Jesus became content with the thorn the
Father had given Him, because in John 18:11, Jesus says to a combative
Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has
given me?"
How was Jesus finally able to be content with what was about to happen?
Remember that the thorn itself does not come from God. In the above
verse, satan was the messenger and his purpose was to torment Paul.
However, nothing can happen to us without God knowing it, and "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28).
Do you believe that, dear friends? Whether your trial has come early in
your life, late in your life, or will last the rest of your life, God
is intending to use this trial in your life, or He would not have
allowed it. It will hurt. But you will be changed by it, if you
allow Him to walk beside you and make you more like Himself. He wants
us to rely on His grace and provision as we persevere.
He understands your thorns. Remember His crown.
Lord, I present my thorn to You. Thank you for walking beside me in this trial and promising that you always work for good. Help me to trust You completely as You make me more like you. Amen.
Molly Monroe
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