When God Doesn’t Take Away Your Thorn
Our guest writer this week is none other than my precious daughter-in-law, Reid Hawkins. I admire her courage and willingness to share about what God is doing in her life. Here is her story:
“Anxiety. Worry. These are the things I wrestle with. I have for quite some time now. Years actually. Countless panic attacks, numerous nervous sweats, and many accounts of having shortness of breath. It all started at the end of high school when growing up became mandatory and reality set in. I have to adult.
The symptoms of my anxiety became unmanageable and I started to visit the doctor for it. The stress had affected my digestive system and I underwent a endoscopy and was diagnosed with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). I also was officially diagnosed with anxiety and was administered a psychiatric drug which I still take to this day.
Immediately I felt shame, embarrassment, and weak for this. A couple of years ago I felt so ashamed for having to take medication for my anxiety that I decided to abruptly quit taking it. I prayed Lord if you would just heal me from this so I don’t have to suffer.
Guess what? Abruptly quitting my medication didn’t work. It actually amplified everything and I lost 20 pounds. So I admittedly and hesitantly returned to taking the medication.
This anxiety has been the thorn in my flesh. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about a thorn in his flesh. He asks the Lord to remove it three times and prayed for healing but did not receive it. Each time he asked the Lord to remove the thorn, the Lord replied, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
I may have not been healed of my anxiety, BUT I know that it has allowed me to receive greater grace from God, a stronger character, humility, and an ability to empathize with others. God is strong in my weakness and I am thankful!
Nothing can separate us from the love of God (our spiritual condition) which is way more important than our physical condition! I have courage and hope that God’s power is displayed through my weakness. When I am weak, I am strong. My anxiety has deepened my worship, because admitting I have struggled with this affirms God’s strength!
I really hope my vulnerability and testimony encourages you today. Please know that your weakness is the perfect condition for God to be your strength. Your need for Him is a blessing. “
Dear Lord: Thank You that when we need You, You are always there, and You always know so much better than we do what we need. Help us to turn to You for strength in our weakness. When we find You are all we have, we find that You are all we need. Amen
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 buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. 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. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Do you have a thorn in your flesh? Have you pleaded with God to remove it, and yet it is still there? Could it be He is working a bigger and better plan? Please share your thoughts, comments and experiences.
Thank you for reading and sharing our blogpost today. May God comfort you through the thorns of this life, and grow you to be that beautiful rose He plans for you to be.