Because
of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me
from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of
Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I
implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most
gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with
insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's
sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul is dealing with an affliction in his body that causes
him to make an adjustment in his life and ministry. As we seek to understand the mystery of human
suffering we must know that it will not be solved completely in this life. Sometimes we suffer simply because we are
human. Our bodies change as we grow older, and we are susceptible to the normal
problems of life. The same body that can
bring us pleasure can also bring us pain.
The same family members and friends that delight us can also break our
hearts. All of this is part of the human
comedy called life and the only way to escape it is to be less than human.
Sometimes we suffer because we are foolish and disobedient
to the Lord. Our own rebellion may
afflict us, or the Lord may see fit to chasten us in his love. Suffering also can be used as a tool God uses
to build Godly character. Certainly Paul
was a man of rich Christian character because he permitted God to mold him in
the painful experiences of his life. If
the truth be told for many of us it is our painful experiences that have shaped
us into what we are today. Some things
we need to let go of and some we need to hold onto, to propel us to the next
level in our lives. One writer said it
like this; "As you walk along the
shore of the ocean you will notice the rocks are sharp in the quiet coves, but
polished in those places where the waves have beat against them." What we must understand is that God uses the
waves and the billows of life to polish us if we let him.
For Paul, this was a physical affliction of some kind that
brought pain and distress. It is certain
that God will allow thorns in our lives to test our faith. However we must make the adjustments and keep
trusting God. The affliction sometimes
is sent for God to get the glory. We as
people of God must make the necessary adjustments.
When God is Taking Us to the
Next Level
Ask any coach who has had a team dealt a blow in the first
half that they were not ready for and he will tell you that at halftime he has
to make adjustments to stay in the game or have a chance to win. Many a coach has spoken of a time when a team
“found itself” in overcoming a bad first half and turning the game around in
the second half to reach new levels of success in the future.
Paul says his confidence came when he heard God say; "My Grace
is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul doesn't know if his pain is temporary or
permanent, but what he has to do is develop confidence in God's promise that
His grace will help him deal with his adjustment in his life. I want you to know that whatever you are
having to deal with right now, God's grace is sufficient! Make the adjustment and give him the
praise! Tell yourself, I will praise you
God and make the necessary adjustment even though I'm dealing with this thorn
in my flesh!
Scripture to Claim:
And let endurance have its
perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:4
