2 Corinthians 7:10, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Continuation from last week, Thorn – The Blessing…
After a little more than six months I woke up and I had movement in my face! The pain had gradually subsided and I was on zero pain medication. While the nerves in my face were not 100%, there was progress…something I had prayed for so many times. It’s been over six years now and while I may not look different physically from when I woke up to movement more than six years ago, I’m certainly not where I was spiritually. God changed me through that journey and all the others He has allowed me to go through in my life. I am truly thankful for each thorn I’ve had to endure.
I am thankful my diagnosis was not worse. I am thankful God didn’t answer my prayer to take me when the pain was unbearable and I’m thankful for my crooked smile. When I look in the mirror what used to frustrate me and make me sad I now accept as a gentle reminder that I AM imperfect…not just physically but in a lot of ways. However, the God I serve IS perfect. Where I lack, He is more than enough and where I’m weak, His strength is poured out.
The more we choose to seek wisdom and understanding, not why we are given a thorn, but how to manage life with it, we begin to discover the true character of Christ. We can see Him as the giver He is and not a thief. God gave me a gift in my sickness and while I used to think He took my smile away, I now realize He simply gave me a new one. He would never harm us with the thorns He allows and He promises to use them for our good but we have to seek to understand and gain wisdom…true wisdom that can only come from Him and His word.
God is not complicated and His character is not flawed. He does not think or act the way we do…He is God and what He is allowing in your life right now is purposed and has everything to do with where He places you next. He’s written your story from beginning to end and you have been gifted each day to make the most of it. Would you pay to see a movie where everything always went right…where there was no conflict, no advancement, no laughter, no tears, no excitement and no risk? Well you are the star and this is your movie, out takes and all…the ups, the downs, the wins and the losses. Each day we are blessed to live counts and we have a responsibility to tell others what God has done in our life so that they may know Him. And to know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to love others. No hate, no judgement…just love.
Whatever your thorn is in this season I pray you will allow it to draw you closer to God. I pray healing and wholeness over every single person reading this. I pray the love of Christ and the sufficiency of His grace would become so real and tangible that you can’t help but live a life of gratitude.
He IS good and what He allows is meant FOR good! Seek Him and you’ll find Him and therein lies the wisdom, grace and courage you need for whatever you’re facing.
Erin L.A. Jones 