Good evening. Great is His faithfulness.
This study made me cry, because my thorn that is in my flesh is on going battle with PTSD- COMBAT STRESS and it by my faith in Christ that has made this more manageable in my life."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
"It's through our thorns our struggles our weaknesses we are made perfect, it's our faith in Christ that makes us well. Our struggles teach us important lessons and it's good to pay attention to these thorns even though they sometimes can very extremely painful."
Jared W Campbell
The Thorn in the Flesh
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to [a]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
St. Paul is like his opponents, who publicly proclaimed how great they are in their mystical experiences, instead St. Paul sees his THORN IN THE FLESH - (v. 7) as GIVEN TO him precisely in order that he not BE EXALTED. What was this THORN? Could have been a chronic physical problem, or even false teachers or deluded Christian leaders or could have been some hard hearted Israelites. Whatever this thorn was, for St. Paul, his WEAKNESS - see v.9 and see v. , not his mystical experience- (see vv. 2-4), is the means of THE POWER OF CHRIST remaining in him.
Prayer Focus from the devotional
Thank God that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Ask Him to reveal how each and every thorn in your life can glorify Him. Praise Him for compensating for all your deficiencies.
What thorn(s) have you repeatedly asked God to remove and why? My main thorn is PTSD, and have come a long way with this recovery. With the help of Christ this battle has become more manageable even though it's not removed. It's a constant reminder of how we are made perfect in our weaknesses. Our strength is drawn from Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has removed some thorns in my life and I'm grateful for these blessings, but it's through struggle we find the strength and it's through the struggle we realize our need for Christ.
What has been your attitude toward God when it comes to your thorn? Does your perspective regarding its presence and purpose in your life need to change? See my video for this answer and discussion.
How has His grace strengthened you and proven to be sufficient? Yes absolutely His grace strengthens me, see my video for further answers and discussions.
Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
In Christ love Jared W Campbell
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