2 Corinthians 12:9 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.
When is the last time, if ever, that you thanked God for
pain? Life is not an easy journey and at times there are going bumps, bruises
and missteps along the way…the question is (allow me to go all New Edition on
you…can you stand the rain?)
All silliness aside, Paul is telling us how God kept him
humble so he wouldn’t be lifted higher than his position by people who learned
from or who were blessed by him; in other words God was making sure that Paul
didn’t start to believe his own press clippings. We may never know what this
thorn in the flesh was, whether some great life stress, or a constant temptation. But we, by faith, know that God often
works to our good from evil intent, that criticism from our enemies help to
hide pride from us. God loves us and he keeps us from getting caught up in the
hype of accolades; and spiritual burdens cure spiritual pride. This
thorn in the flesh is said to be from Satan which was dispatched to come
against God; but God knew it because He knew Satan, and overruled it for good.
Prayer is a cure for all of life’s ills. If an answer be not
given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying.
Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to become
prayer warriors. Though God accepts our prayer on its own volition, but He is
not Santa Claus, He does not always give what is asked for: God has wrath for
some situations, just as He sometimes has to deny requests in love.
What’s the lesson? God does not always remove the issue but
He’ll give you the grace to get through it
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