“Blessed be the Lord for the thorn in the flesh, and the messenger of Satan when they drive us to the strength of God”. – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Three times Paul pleaded with God to take away a “thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, sent to torment him.”

God would not take it away.

Instead, He said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

It never feels like it at the time, but there are blessings in our sufferings when God uses them to strengthen our faith that we would absolutely surrender to His will.

As He did with Paul, as He did with Jesus in Gethsemane before his arrest, when we do surrender to God’s will – He strengthens us.

Even though you are in anguish, even though the suffering remains – when you know it is God’s will, the power of His Spirit inside of you will drive you to pray more earnestly.

I believe the truth behind this is that we ought to pray our requests in faith, but be content with God’s response.

If you are struggling today, pray as Jesus did in Gethsemane, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

 

Repent Believe Persevere