[Transparent moment-proceed at your own risk, ha ha!] The past year and a half have been some of the hardest of my life for a myriad of reasons. If I’m being totally honest with you, I struggled in my mind more so than not. I’ve felt beaten down by my own thoughts more than any person had the chance to attack or judge me. Those voices told me I wasn’t good enough, capable enough, or talented enough to do, well, anything. Anxiety has always been a part of my life in some form (though I’ve always hidden it well). But it has become more pronounced in this period of time (and before anyone attempts to get super-spiritual on me, this admission is not acceptance of this issue like it’s some wonderful gift-because we all know it’s not-rather, I’m openly admitting the struggle I’ve endured). My inability to get past it has been paralyzing at times. The constant mental attacks were, no doubt, a calculated attempt by the enemy to slow me down and prevent me from accomplishing a specific work for the kingdom. But I’ve come to the realization of something-and it has literally changed my thinking. As believers in Christ, we are the authors of our story. Writers have the power to change the story as they see fit. Twists can be inserted where one isn’t expected. An author can take a negative situation and put a positive spin on it – or vice versa. We all have thorns in our flesh to deal with. Anxiety is one of my thorns. But our thorns don’t define us. As authors, we are the ones sitting at the keyboard or with a pencil in hand writing each word, line, and chapter. Our book becomes a culmination of our life’s choices and doesn’t end until we take our last breath. The good, the bad, and the ugly—it’s all there.
In his letter to the people at Corinth the Apostle Paul wrote this, “…Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” [2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NET] God allowed this (sometimes) paralyzing thorn in my life. This is something I would have never wished on myself. It has been humbling, to say the least, as I’ve felt helpless and out of control at times. Thankfully, my Heavenly Father, has been there the whole time reminding me His grace is enough for me! His power is made perfect in my weakness.
Closing remarks and encouragement: God allows those moments of weakness to come as a reminder He is really the one in charge. He doesn’t expect us to have all the answers. If we did, we wouldn’t need Him. But even in our weakest moments and/or seasons, His grace is enough for us! Rather than try to pretend we have it all together, lets take our cue from the Apostle Paul’s playbook. Let’s boast about and be content in our weaknesses! These insults, troubles, persecutions, and difficulties are all for the sake of Christ. We’re strongest in our moment of weakness. When we sense those attacks, lets celebrate rather than cower to the enemy. The enemy only attacks those he sees as a threat to his plans.
Have a blessed week, my friends!
Side note: I do not desire your pity. I am MORE than a conqueror through Christ and continue to overcome this issue daily with His help. Please don’t miss the entire purpose of this blog –which is encouragement to you, regardless of your thorn.