Thorny Issues 🌵
"For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:8-10)
It's been a while now since we've been operating under (what was considered back then) unusual measures.
Since the dawn of COVID-19, we've been enduring lockdowns and lock-ins, curfews and confusions, online this and online that. It's a lot.
More and more, it is starting to emerge that our new abnormal normal is taking its toll on our collective and individual psyches. People are becoming more irritable, intolerant and impatient. For some, it's like being "on edge" all the time... and finding that you have to bite your tongue more often than you recall having to do before.
That sounds frustrating and horrible, but you know, it's not all bad.
The Bible tells of the apostle Paul who had a thorn in his flesh. The imagery used was obviously meant to convey an ongoing, recurring, unwanted and likely annoying affliction.
Though Paul had to deal with it, he dealt with it right. He put it before God and He trusted God. In the end, he learned that God's grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness.
We may never know exactly what that "issue" was, but whatever it was, scholars agree that it served as a relatable testimony and a powerful point of witnessing as Paul went about the mission of getting the Gospel out to the unpreached masses.
The lesson here for all of us then is clear:
1. God's grace, strength and purpose are sufficient for you, to make it through your affliction.
2. God can use your pain and discomfort to effect world-altering change (even if it's one person's world).
3. God can use the heaviness of a challenge to anchor you to the still and sober waters He provides.
So, regardless of whatever thorn may be getting the best of you or getting on top of your nerves, just remember that throughout his mission the great apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh, Jesus had thorns in His crown... Christ had a spear in His side. God used them all to liberate you from a lost and purposeless life.
Therefore, give God thanks... whether in comfort or in affliction... and rejoice, even for your Thorny Issues.