The Apostle Paul wrote about problems with a “thorn” in his flesh, something that tormented him, causing him to keep from feeling conceit. No one is certain what Paul’s thorn was, but according to the verse it was related to pride. (II Cor 12: 7-10)The thorn can represent something different for each person. Being able to take an inventory of oneself, to see if one is acting with pride or other defective characteristics is an important start to finding freedom from faults.
But Paul asked God to remove it and it was not removed. Thus it must have served a purpose of some sort. Was the purpose to help Paul to depend on the Lord, to depend on God’s strength? Or was the purpose intended to help others? And how would Paul’s thorn help others?
This reminds me of a recovering alcoholic: Relapse would bring, say a man, back to all the negative aspects of where he left off when he stopped drinking. (I’m sure he prayed a million times to quit!). Yet he would have to work on recovery. He would surrender and depend on a Higher Power. He would be made strong where he was weak.
And others? Would learn from his experience, past or present, seeing the changes, noting the hope.
Why not remove the thorn? It’s actually an incentive, the reality of why he surrendered to change in the first place.
Never forget where you came from. Never forget the struggle to rise above that. Never forget the strength of your Higher Power. Everything can be wiped away in an instant.
The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
IICor 12:9
Boasting is for losers. Humility is for winners. Theresa M
No comments:
Post a Comment