The purpose of some thorns

Have you read the passage lately in 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about the purpose for his "thorn"? If not, keep reading, I've included some below.

No one is quite sure what Paul's thorn was.  Some say it had to have been a physical malady.  Other's insist it was one or more people.  Some say it was a temptation.  Whatever it was, it didn't go away, despite desperate prayers on Paul's part.

Yet in spite of this thing that gave Paul such frustration, he followed his Jesus and pursued his calling with abandon.  He didn't make excuses.  We don't read of him saying, "If only I didn't have to deal with (blank), then I could really move forward."  Or, "Sorry I didn't get (blank) done, it's that (blank) God sent to frustrate me."

Instead, Paul lived a life of passion grounded in the reality of his life.  Instead of grumbling and complaining, he demonstrated for us how to see benefit in the thorns in our lives that aren't going away.  Here's how Paul saw his thorn:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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. 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. (v. 7b-10)

I know lots of Christians see themselves in the Apostle Peter.  They connect with the well-meaning, passionate man who boasted loudly and fell just as publicly.  I see myself in Paul.  Not in any way in his brilliance or influence.  Not at all like that - but in his weakness. Paul was a very proud and confident man.  He was sure of himself.  Yet, in order to use Paul most effectively, God struck Paul down.  First with blindness (which God restored), then with this thorn.  Through hardship, God kept this once overly-proud man humble. 

It was only in Paul openly admitting he had thorns, that  God able to shine through him.  Paul's life proved that God's grace was sufficient.

Today I'm writing these words for me.  I've got a thorn that isn't going away any time soon.  It reveals the worst in me, but not to the world.  It's also bringing out the best in me at times.  It's something that I know God gave me.  And He didn't do it to punish me (although that thought crosses my mind in my weakest moments).  I know that's not the truth.

He gave me this thorn for a purpose.  Actually multiple purposes.  Some I've yet to see.  I know I'm supposed to move forward by accepting this thorn is a part of my life - not pretending that it isn't. 

So I'm holding on to the promise of the thorn:  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

In my fairy tale dreams, I have the perfect life.  Yet God doesn't work through fairy tales.  He doesn't even seem to work through "perfect" people.  He seems to love taking broken, hurting people - bring them some healing - then set them on a path to obedience.  He works in the nitty-gritty of life ... in the midst of physical pain, handicaps, addictions, mistakes and emotional pain.  He loves it when people are honest about their weaknesses, but give Him the glory for every good thing.

Yes, I'm more like Paul.  I get it when he said, "in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh ..."  

Today I'm looking for purpose in my thorns.  They stick me sometimes, and cause pain.  But they have a purpose.

Question:  How have you seen God work through thorns in your life?

In His Love,
Glynnis

P.S.  Check back tomorrow.  I've got a devotion running on loving well, and I'll share some experiences God has brought through loving difficult people.

If life is a story, what page are you on?

I recently read "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" by Ken Follett.  Both were 1,000 pages and consumed me for months.  I read them based on a recommendation from someone I respected.  However, while there is much good in these books, there are parts that are uncomfortably real.  In fact, at times unnecessarily real and graphic.  I don't recommend them for those with gentle spirits.  They are upsetting.

Both books ended well, but there were times during the books when I was ready to put them down.  The protagonists were just too mean.  The plot too painful.  The abuse, greed, and vindictiveness too ugly to dwell on. 

If those books had ended badly, I would have been very disgruntled at spending months of my life on them.

And, if I hadn't read them completely, I would have been frustrated too.  If I had only read, say ... page 560 ... or page 702 ...  I might have thought the story was hopeless.  I might have thought the villains won.  Or the hero and heroine never reconnected.   If I only read one chapter, I might have thought justice was an impossible dream.  Or those in poverty will always stay that way. 

But now, after reading the book in its entirety, I can see the amazing story.  The plot progressed, there was tension, conflict and eventually resolution.   Good did eventually triumph.

It got me thinking that our lives are a bit like that. For those of us who have accepted Christ, we know we have a happy ending. One way or another, our story will end well. But not every chapter or page in our story is happy.

Today might be page 452 for me.  And on page 452 there is conflict.  There is tension.  If I only read this page, I would have a very different view of the story. 

Yet the Author of my story has a purpose for every page and chapter in my life.  He's got a story in mind and is building and developing the plot every day.  No story is conflict-free.  No story is complete without a challenge.  Victory is empty without a struggle.

Today, I'm considering my life as a grand story.  I know the ending.  Good triumphs. The victory will be sweeter because of the struggle.   Today is not the story.  It's just page 452.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Finding perspective in tough times

Thanksgiving blessings and welcome to everyone who is joining me today after reading my Encouragement for Today devotion, titled Perspective Precedes Thankfulness.  If you are a  regular blogger friend, I extend a special greeting. 

Also, if you are a regular reader, keep reading to find out the winner of the Mary Engelbreit photo album.

In the devotion, I promised to tell the story of another time perspective made all the difference.  It starts back 12 years ago when my family moved from Phoenix to Charlotte, North Carolina due to my husband's job.  We didn't have long to select a house, but honestly, it didn't take long to find one I loved. 

For years I'd read Southern Living Magazine, and adored the south's tendency to paint interior house walls in vibrant colors.  (In the southwest we have another traditional color: off-white.  It's amazing how many hundreds of off-white shades there are..) Anyway, once I stepped in and saw the green and gold entrance, cranberry family room and  dark blue bedroom, I was hooked.  We made an offer two days after it went on the market.  We were sure it would sell just as fast.

Our plan was to stay in Charlotte two years, then return to Phoenix.  As our time in the south came to a close, we put that blue, green, gold, cranberry house on the market and held our hands out to receive the offers.  After awhile we put our hands down, as no offers arrived.  Week after week I'd try and make that house presentable with three little boys under the age of 8.   It was a trying time on many levels.

Apparently, home buyers weren't as enthralled with all that color as I was.  Our realtor strongly suggested we paint the interior of the house white, but we were just as convinced it wasn't necessary.

My husband moved back to Phoenix to start his new job, and I stayed in Charlotte, cleaning and picking up.  Weeks turned into months and there was no sign of an offer.  Tod came back one weekend and we painted the entrance white, thinking we could fool the buyers.  It didn't happen.  We dropped the price; still nothing.  Not even a glimmer.

I was hopeless and helpless.  There was nothing I could do to make anyone buy my home.  I had tried and tried on my own, and things were getting worse.   I poured my heart out to God, and felt a measure of peace, but still struggled with fear and despair.

During the worship time one Sunday, everything changed.   That day, I sang as if I was standing in front of God's throne.  I pictured Him mighty and powerful.  I worshipped Him for His majesty.  I praised Him for His strength and power.  I honored Him for everything He is.

As I did that, the problem with my house started to get smaller.  I realized my problem wasn't out of His control.  He was big enough to handle it. 

As God was magnified through praise, my problems were minimized.  It was a matter of perspective.  And I had previously lost it. The house didn't sell immediately with my newfound perspective.  But my heart and understanding of praise changed forever.

In time, God provided renters who couldn't afford a to purchase a house.  Within a few months, due to family difficulties, they left us with an unfinished rental contract and a still-colorful house.  We finally had to paint the entire inside of the house white, and it did eventually sell.  In spite of all the difficulties, we learned some amazing things about God we would not have learned otherwise.  I especially learned the value of keeping perspective in tough times.

If you are facing a problem that seems out of your control, try praising God.  Put some praise music on and sing.  If you sound like a frog when you sing, then turn up the music louder. 

Pick songs that speak of God's power and might.  His ability to save you.  In an instant. With a word.  Nothing is too great for Him.  I once heard, "If your problems are too big, your God is too small."

Sing songs that remind you of how big our God really is.  If you are looking for some songs, I can recommend these:

Twila Paris - He is Exalted, We Bow Down, God is in Control
Phillips, Craig and Dean:   Revelation Song, You are God Alone, Your Name

This God I will serve all my life!

Take a moment and post your favorite songs that glorify our God and tells of His majesty!  We have so much to be thankful for!!!

Love and Thanksgiving hugs,

Glynnis

**************************************************************
The winner of the Mary Engelbreit Photo Album is "Terry".  Please email me directly at editor@proverbs31.org with your full name and mailing address and I'll get your prize shipped out.

Thanks to everyone for posting your ideas.

My Family History

Yesterday I went for my annual mammogram. This is always a time of some nervousness for me. You see, when I was only 20 I had a solid mass removed. Then another when I was 27. They were both benign, but I've got fibroid cystic disorder/disease and have got lots of interesting things happening inside. So that means I'm more vigilant than I might have been had I never had a problem.

Also in the past, Satan has used the threat of breast cancer as a tool against me. I've actually experienced oppressive fear at times. But praise God, I've have been miraculously freed of it.

Although I don't experience the same high level of fear, I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a low level of anxiety at this time of year.

Especially this year.

This year, my sister got breast cancer. Just last month she had surgery and will start treatment soon. Praise God, it was caught early. But she has been dropped into a battle she didn't expect -just like millions of other women who don't expect to be in a fight for their lives.

So this year, my family history of breast cancer changed. Before, there was no history. Now there is.

As I've been thinking about that this week, I realized I've got another family history. One even stronger than breast cancer. I've got a history of a very powerful Heavenly Father who fights for His children.

My family history contains stories of a Father who parts water so His kids can escape an army, pauses the sun, makes donkeys talk, saves people from lions and fiery furnaces, confuses enemies so they destroy each other, restores sight to the blind, makes lame walk, brings hope to the hopeless, feeds 5000+, heals diseases and raises the dead!!!

That's MY family history!!

So yesterday, I asked my Heavenly Dad for help. I needed to be reminded of ALL my family history. I needed Him to go with me into that office. I needed Him to battle the enemy's lies and plans for me. I needed to be protected from disease.

I needed to be reminded that even if the test showed something concerning, that He was bigger than any test result and would take care of me.

So my Father went with me yesterday. And was faithful to do all that; the tests were all normal.

Sometimes God uses situations to remind us of truths we need to bury deep into our hearts. Here's my truth for today: I've got a Heavenly Daddy who loves me and will intervene in my life to care for me and bring good out of all situations. I either believe that or I don't. Situations don't change that truth. There is no situation that takes Him by surprise or is too big for Him to handle. I need to remember that.

Here's a great passage from Isaiah 51:12-16:

“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of
mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?

Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who stretched
out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the
earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human
oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your
enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is
gone!

Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!

For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its
waves to roar. My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in
my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the
foundations of the earth.I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my
people!’”

As we approach Easter next week, it's good to be reminded that the same God of the Bible's history is the same God of our history. And that is a really cool family history.

In His Love,

Glynnis