Oh The World of Invisible Illnesses...Let's Call Them Thorns

It is kind of comical that our family was chosen to bear these invisible illnesses. I really do not get it. Paul did not get it either but surrendered to it. That is where I am too. We can declare together:

"I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 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 7b-10 NLT

God revealed to Him and to us that a thorn like this was to keep him humble. Yet he did beg for it to be taken away. I think we all would. No one wants to be plagued by a thorn. They are pestering things. Then even though it is beyond our understanding God tells us it is better to leave the thorn. He does not take it away. Reread the verses above. Do you see the reason?

In God's upside down kingdom, up is down/down is up. Me being weak is God being strong. I am surrendered to Him. He can work strongest in that. I have to trust and watch Him work. Anytime He uses me to serve in a physical way I am amazed at the strength He provides, strength that I do not have in and of myself. That is His strength and it is an amazing experience of surrender and dependency. It is letting God be strong in me. An intimacy you cannot experience when you do everything in your own strength.

I am learning to surrender all things to Him. I am glad that He has chosen to give us these thorns. Can I even go a step further and call them a gift? That may sound absurd to some but they are instruments that God uses to draw us closer to Him. It inspires intimacy with Him. If left on my own I venture out on my own. I am by nature independent and desire no one to help me. So I am thankful for this gift. He keeps me close through it. I am dependent. 

No matter what the "thorn" is in your life remember if God says no to taking it away there is a better reason for it to stay. You are given a gift that will grow you more like Him and closer to Him. It is a beautiful thing. Hang tight to Him. He knows best and loves you enough to know what is best for you. Surrender. Enjoy Him. Lean on Him. Be strong in Him.