Wrestling the Thorns
Ever been in a season of life that you just don’t like?
Maybe it’s a new job that isn’t what you expected?
Maybe it’s a season in your child’s life (like the terrible 2’s) that you wonder if you both are going to live through?
Maybe it’s being single or single again?
Maybe it’s a relationship with a family member or friend that for as much as you try to get it right, it’s just all wrong?
Ever been in one of those seasons where you’ve been trying so hard for so long that you just want to quit?
Walk away.
Give up.
I’ve had my share.
There have been seasons of my life when it has taken everything in me to push through and stick with it.
I didn’t want to. I really didn’t want to.
I’ve literally begged God to fix the situation. To let me give up. To release me from the frustration and the pain. Usually he doesn’t let me, and I find myself reflecting on this verse:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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. 10That 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.
Although my circumstances may be different from Paul’s. They say that Paul’s affliction may have been physical. Maybe for you it is. Maybe it’s metaphorical. But either way, I think the thing that most captures my attention when I read these verses is this part:
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I think sometimes God allows us to live in the discomfort of a season or circumstance because He is up to greater work than we can see. It’s for His glory, not ours. It’s for His power and strength to be seen… even if it’s just for us to see.
In a world that encourages us to:
…seek comfort
…find the easy way
…play to your strengths
…live your best life, etc.
I think we find ourselves very restless with the thorns. We think we deserve better and so we whine and cry and blame instead of trying to find a way for God’s power to be made perfect in our weakness.
I love this next part of verse 9, Paul says:
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Did you catch that?
“So that Christ’s power may rest on me.” There’s something very comforting about the idea of God’s power RESTING on me.
In the midst of your thorn, there is comfort if you’ll allow God’s power to be made known through your weakness.
How can you allow God’s power to be seen through your thorn?
Great post, Jenni. You're so right about the culture pushing the "if it's not easy, don't bother" syndrome. How much we would miss without the thorns that reveal God's power resting on us!
wow, I needed to hear this today Jenni. Thanks for sharing your heart.
For me, God's power can be seen through my attitude. I may not be able to control the circumstance (which is another issue all together since I am such a control freak), but I can control my attitude. I think people watch how we react or handle ourselves when faced with adversity even more critically when they know we are Christians. They want to see if we truly believe what we say and live it out in our daily lives. Just a thought.
Great post.
Great thoughts, Melissa. I can relate to the attitude things… and the control thing 🙂
"I think sometimes God allows us to live in the discomfort of a season or circumstance because He is up to greater work than we can see. It’s for His glory, not ours. It’s for His power and strength to be seen… even if it’s just for us to see."
You don't know how much I needed to read these words today.
We're going through such a tough time right now with our 19 year old son. He's home from school for the summer, and I have to admit, I'm counting the days until he goes back (36 and counting!). He's at an age where he's sure he knows so much more than we do, and quite frankly, he's living a lifestyle that we don't care for. Everyday is a challenge, and while I fear doing something that will push him away from us forever, I can't wait until he's out of the house and back at school.
I like to think God has a reason for what we're going through. Maybe it's to strengthen our marriage, or our faith in Him, or even something I haven't thought of. Whatever it is, I can't wait for this season to be over but I really hope that God will use us and this situation for good.
Chrissy, I can't even begin to imagine how tough your situation is. Praying for you!
Awesome post, Jenni!
"I think sometimes God allows us to live in the discomfort of a season or circumstance because He is up to greater work than we can see."
I think when we we actually realize that is what God is doing, suddenly the thorns don't become quite so unbearable. Sure, there are definitely uncomfortable moments when we're going, "Really? Can't You just ease up a little??" But ultimately if we let go and just let God do his thang–we'll eventually find the peace we're looking for.
For me, one of the ways I can let God's power be seen through my thorns is to simply let Him into my life and open my mind and heart to the gifts I didn't think I possessed. Learning to be still and be at peace knowing I am forever in His hands allows me to step beyond the thorns and help others no matter how small I feel that task may be.
Great perspective, Morgan!
Your posts have SO been speaking to me lately… to where my heart is at… to this place where I am trying to rest but getting all stuck (by thorns)…
"we find ourselves very restless with the thorns."
I am definitely there.
Great poast!
Thanks for reading and relating Jenny! Praying for you!
Beautiful, Jenni! I just read these verses in The Message just about an hour ago…YES!!
I got a job offer today after almost 2 years of unemployment. It's not my dream job by any means, but it's a job and I'm exceedingly grateful. I spent most of the last 2 years wanting to give up. I didn't want to live because I had no purpose and I didn't see a future for myself. On the day that my hope for the future was restored, this was exactly the reminder that I needed. Thank you!
Absolutely AMAZING!
Love this post!
It goes straight to the heart and I am thankful to have stumbled your way today.
Thanking God for the thorns in my side is never easy… yet this scripture is a constant reminder that faith stretches and wisdom grows during pain.
Lovely blog… Lovely YOU… have a wonderful week!
Yeah, I've been there too. In fact, I was just given some more disappointing news this morning regarding a potential job that has fallen through. Thanks for reminding me of what Paul says here. It really is all about His glory -not mine.
Amy, I'm so thrilled that you got a job offer. Praying that it exceeds your expectations and you can feel a little relief from the "thorns".
Thanks, Jenni!
Jenni,
Thank you for a very humbling reminder. Today's been a heavy one already and I confess there have been thoughts of retreat. I am grateful for God's reminder to press on and trust Him for strength.