But what if He doesn ’ t ?
Our incessant obsessing over our pain may be short-circuiting what God is trying to teach us . When we camp on all the things we can ’ t do , we ’ re unable to see the things God can do through us .
Our incessant obsessing over our pain may be shortcircuiting what God is trying to teach us .
Instead of complaining endlessly , we need to lift our eyes to Him . To find His strength in our weakness . To lean into His sustaining grace . We need to say often , “ His grace is all I need .”
Like you , I ’ m weak . I struggle . I ’ m vulnerable . I suffer from all the ailments of being mortal . But I often repeat His words : “ My grace is all you need .”
Look at the difference this truth made in Paul ’ s life . When he recognized God ’ s sustaining grace , He ceased his repeated pleading for relief and accepted what God was doing not to him but for him : “ That ’ s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses , and in the insults , hardships , persecutions , and troubles that I suffer for Christ . For when I am weak , then I am strong ” ( 2 Corinthians 12:10 ).
Insults didn ’ t offend Paul . Hardships didn ’ t discourage him . Persecutions didn ’ t shatter him . Troubles didn ’ t crush him . When Paul was at his weakest , God was at His strongest . Through His thorn therapy , God put Paul ’ s pride in time-out .
THE FATHER KNOWS BEST Some of the most difficult — and most vital — lessons I ’ ve learned in life are simple and obvious — but so hard to reconcile with our everyday experiences .
God is no dummy . God knows us . God never goofs up .
God never says , “ Whoops ! Messed that one up ! I guess I should have answered Chuck ’ s prayer like he asked . Well , maybe I ’ ll get it right next time .”
No . We can rest all our confidence in the fact that God the Father knows best . He knows what to give us , what to keep from us , and how much we can handle as He seeks to accomplish His purpose of keeping us humbly dependent on Him .
The Lord has specific trials with our name on them . They ’ re designed for us , arranged with our weaknesses and maturity level in mind . He bears down and doesn ’ t let up . Yet He ’ s always in control , making sure the trials are no more and no less than we need .
Yes , we groan and weep . But we also learn and grow .
Understandably , our common reaction to thorn therapy is resistance . Sometimes even resentment . But how much better would it be for you and me if we were to open the doors of our hearts when God ’ s perfectly timed trials come knocking ?
47