A Thorn In The Flesh

I know that my Heavenly Father knows who I am and what I need. I know that because he keeps sending me these tender mercies. And they seem to come connected in pairs.

Today is Sunday.  First thing this morning I was reading another person’s blog.  In it he said:
 
“I lapsed last Wednesday. After 45 days of sobriety. . . The worst part about it is that it sent me into a tailspin of sorts emotionally.” He ended his post stating that he had emailed his sponsor and wished that there were a pill he could take to overcome his addiction. The sponsor replied with these words:

“We all would love to take a pill and overcome addiction, but the question to think about is would the pioneers have learned and grown closer to the Lord if they had taken a plane to Utah?”

After reading his post the thought entered my head to drive to Salt Lake and attend the live broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word.  Why would I want to go in person when I could watch it on TV?   It just seemed like something I needed to do.

When I arrived I was handed a printed program and sat down near the front.  While waiting for the program to begin I read the Spoken Word message for today.  It tied in directly to the earlier message from that blog. As I read tears started running down my cheeks.  They continued running for most of the broadcast. There really was a reason for me to be there.

Here is that message:  "For When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong"

"The Bible records that the Apostle Paul had what he called "a thorn in the flesh"--a trial or difficulty that helped to keep him humble and steadfast. He asked the Lord three times to take it from him, but it remained. Yet Paul came to see divine purpose in his infirmities and hardships, declaring with great wisdom, "For when I am weak, then am I strong."

"At times, for each of us, the path of life seems to be all uphill, filled with obstacles and hazards. But these struggles are not meant to stop us or discourage us. They are meant to change us. If we face our challenges with all of the courage, patience, and faith we have--undoubtedly developing a great deal more in the process--we'll reach the top of that hill and make an important discovery: In the journey of life, the destination is not as important as what we become along the way."

"From that elevated perspective, we may notice that our hardships were the very things we needed to make us better and stronger. Becoming our best self often happens because of--rather than in spite of--unfavorable circumstances. Our greatest trials can become our greatest teachers."

Each of us has our own “thorn in the flesh.”  And speaking for myself, that thorn has forced me to humble myself and beg the Lord to help me.  I would never have done that without this addiction.  So for that I am thankful.  I pray that I will remain humble and allow the Lord to continue to help me.

And I thank Him for these many tender mercies that continue to tell me that He still loves me.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Certainly in the overcoming of the addiction there are many lessons to learn, including humility. I just wish I would have picked a better way (though it probably wouldn't have been an easier way) to learn it.