thrive with a thorn
power in limitation
As we head into a new year, I’ve reflected on all that has happened in the last 300 something days. This year, as I’m sure for all of us, has brought on struggles of its own. Maybe for some of us, the struggles we faced were just a continuation of what 2024 brought on. Maybe for some of us, Paul’s thorn is very relatable. (2 Corinthians 12:7) I know it is for me!
I’ve shared before that my life feels like one season of waiting after another. For years now, actually! And although I would love for God to just take me out of my current season and struggle and place me in my breakthrough, I know that wouldn’t be what’s best for me. I would take what God has been doing in this waiting for granted and it would be wasted.
That’s not to say I haven’t asked God to remove this thorn from my side, because I have many times but I know it’s all part of His plan for my good and His glory. (Romans 8:28) As I read through 2 Corinthians chapter 12, I compared how this was worded in The Message translation. It described the thorn as a “limitation” and it got me thinking that limitations are also a type of boundary in some ways. A boundary is typically put in place to keep you safe from something, so what if that’s how I viewed my momentary struggle? (James 1:2)
That’s not to say I haven’t asked God to remove this thorn from my side, because I have many times but I know it’s all part of His plan for my good and His glory.
Perhaps, my struggle is actually a way to keep me from veering off too far on my own way and not following what God already has set out for me. (Proverbs 16:3) At times I forget that God is also our Father, He knows and sees things that we can’t. He knows what’s best and His plans are always for our good, thorns included. (Jeremiah 29:11) If you’re a parent, I’m sure you can relate to that a little bit. We put rules and boundaries in place for our kids because we know what’s best for them even if they don’t always agree or believe we do. We know that if they hang off the side of the couch it’s likely they’ll fall and hit their head (this may or may not be a real life example!) and that’s why we give them that rule or limitation because we want to protect them. As I write this I know my situation hasn’t changed but I know that God is still working and moving in this season and my only responsibility is to trust Him and boast and delight in my weaknesses and hardships because that’s where His power is made perfect! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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 weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That 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.
Lord, I pray for my friend who is reading this right now and wondering when the thorn will be removed and the struggle will end. I ask that You would bring them comfort and peace in the waiting. I ask that they would see their weakness as a way for You to shine thru them. I pray that this new year would bring trust in You like never before. I pray that they feel seen and loved by You. I pray that they would see a set back or a limitation as proof of Your love and protection for them. Bless my sweet friend and fill her with peace. In Jesus’ name I pray and believe, amen!
Be encouraged, friend. Your struggle will not be wasted. For when you are weak, you are strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10)
