I never mentioned what the thorn in my life was and that was done on purpose. We all have thorns and I didn't want you to think about my personal thorn; but about your own life and what God is doing in your own life with your own personal thorn. A thorn can be anything such as our children, the job, our spouse, our in-laws, our spirituality, it can even be ourselves. Whatever your thorn is in your life allow God to work a miracle in you to move you to greatness. God may remove your thorn or like Paul, He may tell you that His Grace is Sufficient.
Well, since my last post...the specific thorn that I was asking God to remove is no longer there. This is not to say that I won't have other thorns in my life in the future. But I was praying for God to remove this particular thorn when I realized that I really didn't need God to remove it; this was something I could do on my own. Sometimes we ask God to do things in our lives that we can ourselves but we won't do it because we lack faith. The only reason why I hadn't done anything was because I was worried about the outcome in the future and what would happen down the road. (For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11) But just as God's grace is sufficient so are His provisions. So I have stepped out on faith and I am allowing God to provide for my needs. Is this an easy thing to do? No. But God. Is this something we can do on our own or by ourselves? No. But God. Are there going to be hard times, trials, the enemy's trickery? Yes. But God! But God has it all under control and if we trust Him in the midst our trials; in the midst of our storms, in the midst of our thorns - His Grace is Sufficient!
Philippians 4:13 says: I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. The Amplified Bible says it like this: "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." But God! With Christ I am able to do some things I wouldn't normally be able or willing to do. With Christ I self-sufficient - with His sufficiency. I am adequate or enough with God's adequacy. I am ready! Why? Because of God's strength in me. So why am I worried about my thorn when I know God has already taken care of it? So why am I concerned about the economy when God has already taken care of it? So why am I depressed about paying bills when God has already taken care of it? So why am I envious of my brethren when God has already taken care of it? So why don't I have a closer relationship with God? Why don't I pray every day? Why don't I read His word? ...But God. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5); but with Him we can do all!
So don't fret when there is a thorn in your side. Ask yourself and God what is the purpose of my thorn? Reflect on if you have been spending time with God as you know you should. We have to be attached to the vine in order to produce the fruit of that vine. If you are not attached to God, then you are not producing good fruit. And to be attached to God means making Him a priority in your life by serving Him (no other gods - and those gods can be our cars, houses, money, jobs, spouses, children, anything that you worship more than God); talking to Him in prayer; listening to Him by reading His Word; and applying His statutes in your life (allowing His Will to be your will).
Remember, sometimes God allows us to go through things - not for us - but for others; for our testimony will help someone else. Sometimes it is because we need to grow. We cannot stay babes in Christ forever. And sometimes it's preparation for something God has planned for our lives. Whatever the reason for your thorn allow God's grace to be sufficient and ask Him to give you guidance in the midst of your thorn. Ask God to show you the next step for your life. Use your thorn as a learning experience and get closer to God in the process. And when your thorn is removed, don't forget God! Remember Him daily.
Thank You, Lord for Your love, Your grace, Your provisions, Your awesomeness, Your greatness, Your healing power, Your mercies, Your Son, Your Self! Thank You! Amen.
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