I bet the line to talk to Paul is going to pretty long in Heaven. There were several things he wrote that I know I could sure use a little clarification on. One of them has got to be the following:
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I asked 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 weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:7-10)
Wait..what did he just say? He does what in his weakness? Paul, brother, I am not sure I catch your drift. Oh, I get the part about the “thorn”. Oh do I ever get the part about the thorn, but you delight in that? I also get the part about the torment. Yet that makes you strong?
Here’s what this verse told me tonight. It’s time for a shift in my thinking. Instead of asking God to take it away (more then 3 times mind you), why not realize his “grace is sufficient”? Instead of letting it torment me almost hourly, why not gain strength in my weakness? Lastly, instead of letting it get the best of me, why not “delight in it”?
I don’t know what Paul was talking about for his “thorn”, but I know what this meant to me. Maybe it will mean something to you today too.
Awesome post! So many times I’ve been there. I try to tell myself that it’s all on my perspective. Sometimes it’s hard to find the perspective I need. Your post has reminded me of what that perspective is.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Good post, Aaron.
I think we need to keep an awareness that we’re “not there yet”. There is much to learn and much to yield over to the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re in a dangerous place if we get too comfortable or feel saitisfied in our relationship with the Lord.
I kind of think of that thorn as a way to keep us in a condition where we recognize we are not where God desires us to be. That state of weakness is where we can experience the true power of God.
Blessings,
David.
Superman – Thanks brother. As always, it’s just what God laid on my heart last night.
Grits – Agreed. My brother-in-law was telling me that one of his Theology Profs said he hated teaching the class because people might get the impression that they now know and understand everything about God.
Well, you know the saying, “great minds run in the same chanel.” LOL Or just maybe the Lord is trying to reach someone with His sufficient grace who reads both of our blogs.
Many blessings to you and your family,
Ronda
My thorns have certainly kept me from a variety of sinful attitudes and behaviors. I can’t say I have been able to accept them, but I do recognize the good that they bring to my life.
it’s all about enjoying the ride. 🙂
“. . . Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”
I believe this really goes back to less of us and more of God. If I recognize that I can do nothing aside from the help and presence of God’s Spirit (my righteousness is filthy rags, I can only do all things through Christ, even Jesus said without Him we can do nothing). We can thrive on the reality of our limitations and humanity when we grasp the power that is available to us through our faith in Christ.
We don’t need a better self image, we need a better understanding of who we are in Him. We don’t need to build self-confidence, we need God-confidence that comes from believing and seeing the Word of God work in our lives.
It is truly to His glory when His imperfect vessels triumph in the face of tragedy and overcome the impossible. When we “hit bottom” and realize we are nothing without Him then we can truly soar.
You are probably wondering why someone is commenting on this so long after it has been posted. Well I had a terrible day today. Something awful happened to me, and suddenly I received an email devotional about 2 Cor. 12:7-10. I went to Google Images to find a picture to suit the entry in my own blog, and saw the image you used. When I saw that your entry was about the exact same verse, I knew God was speaking to me. Thank you for blogging, you have reached someone.