A Thorn In Our Flesh

Many of us are pretty good at solving the problems that life brings our way. Have you ever had one of those problems that you can’t seem to resolve? Maybe it’s a person or situation that keeps dragging you down, and no matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to make things better, and you just can’t seem to make things right. No matter how many prayers, we don’t see the outcome that we want. It is like a thorn in our foot, that pains us seemingly every step of the way.

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Scripture:
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given 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.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Observation/Application:
Paul talked about this thorn in his life. And he too prayed for this to be taken away from him, so that he could be free from the suffering. But in his prayer, God answered him that His grace was enough, and that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Paul learns that no matter how much Paul tries to do in the flesh, there is no way that he can outperform God. All of the studying, all of the good eating and good living, no matter how much Paul take tries in the flesh, he will never be able to do on his own what he can do with God’s help.

So next time when it seems like God is failing us, because our problem is not going away, or because we are not getting the result that we want, let us reflect on if the place that we are in is exactly where God wants and needs us to be. Now if it is an abusive relationship or other dangerous circumstance, it might not be the place. But only God can tell you where you are supposed to be. Time will tell. But as Garth Brook once sung, what we consider unanswered prayers at the moment might actually be God’s prayers being perfectly answered, in the form of a thorn in our flesh.

Let us praise God our Father all the more, knowing that His grace is sufficient, and in our weakness He is made strong.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Thank you for your Spirit that lives in us, and for your wisdom and revelation in us. Help us to get out of our own way Lord, and let your power work in us. Cleanse us from the inside out Lord. Make us clean, and make us new. Let your power rest on me Lord, and be revealed through me Lord, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Image courtesy of: Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon

Photo By squesada70

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