| | “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 12:8 NIV |
| The popular saying goes…”no pain, no gain”.
I’ve found this to be true both physically and spiritually. The greatest moments of growth in your spiritual walk will be filled with great pains.
Pain is a part of the growing process. Muscles need to be broken down before they can grow. As does your flesh need to be broken before the spirit man can grow.
Premature removal of pain may forfeit the promise and leave you wounded in vain.
But then there are irremovable pains. Afflictions that God will not take out of your life. He will grace you to endure them.
This is what Paul was experiencing. Though no one knows exactly what this thorn was, God chose not to remove it but to use it to show the power of his grace.
The presence of this weakness of flesh put the strength of God continually on display in Paul’s life.
Do you find yourself trying to remove a thorn that God has placed in your life? If so, understand it's presence is doing more good than you may have realized.
For some of you pornography may be a thorn.
For others it may be weed, alcohol, or some other drug.
Maybe its anger.
Whatever your thorn may be understand that its presence is intentional. God knows how badly you want it to be gone.
But He also knows what it takes for his power to truly rest upon you.
Whatever you are going through today, keep trusting in God. Learn to find joy in your “struggle” knowing that God truly does have it all under control.
Lets pray…
“Father, today I pray for a shift of mindset. Help me to view my trials and afflictions in the proper light. Understanding that as my flesh weakens it provides more room for my spirit man to grow. I willingly accept the afflictions of this world knowing that each one makes me stronger. Each affliction calls the grace of God from heaven to come and be present in my life. In Christ alone I am victorious. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.” |
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