so to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [2 corinthians 12:7]
we see the rise and fall of many in church leadership who choose the way of the dragon, desiring to build their own kingdom, gain power, and come crashing down when their heart is revealed. sometimes we see it coming, sometimes it takes us completely by surprise.
so what a grace, that God would send us thorns in the flesh, to keep us humble before Him, to keep us faithful in Christ Jesus, to keep us walking in the way of the Lamb. our weakness protects us from our own folly, and keeps us from stealing the glory of God!
do you see your weakness as a grace of God? do you see trials, hardships, persecution, physical illness or brokenness, sin done against you, or maybe even, like paul, a messenger of satan sent to harass you, as God’s means to keep you in Christ? are you using these things to press into Christ and his grace, which is sufficient for you? what in your life brings you humility? (or humiliates you?) are you able to say “praise the Lord” for it? it’s definitely not my initial thought. but when i think about all of my desires of comfort, wealth, notoriety, and power being granted, and what i would probably do with that, it makes me shutter. praise the Lord for my thorns in the flesh.
today, in the presence of the Faithful One, praise him for your weakness. praise him for keeping you faithful in Christ by bringing hardship and humility. if you find this very difficult, ask him for help. ask for a change of heart toward your thorn in the flesh, toward whatever harasses you in your life, to be able to give thanks for it. his grace is sufficient for you. press into his grace. he pours it out endlessly, because he loves you.
~arwen eastman