Thorns and Hopes

Some struggles in life just happen to be our thorn in the flesh 'to keep us in touch with our limitations' and keep us humble before God for how much we need His grace in our weakness. 

Some of us will not see the end of our anxiety (social, emotional or physical) in this life but we are given strength from the Spirit as we abide in Him to live our lifes moved by love instead of fear. Others have other kind of struggles. What can cause some of us anxiety will give them excitement but it's meant to be that way. We're all different on purpose. 

Living with the expectation that one day I can learn to write with my left hand when I can only write with my right hand is useless. Rather take my thorn and allow it to bring me to my knees before God, even for the most mundane and simple things in life. With time, you learn to always depend on God, since it's ONLY with His strength that you can do anything. And you learn to ignore the lies that live in your core and embrace the Truth that sets you free, the Truth that pushes you forward, and the Truth that allows you to LIVE.

There can be medical conditions, traumas, ongoing crisis and more that can increase anxiety. People will not always understand that you still love God, that you're still seeking Him in prayer and you're still abiding in His word. They will assume you just need to 'shake it off'. But our bodies and minds are intricate, and some will be healed others will not. God heals some people of cancer and allows others to die of simple things. He is sovereign. Jesus did not resurrect all his loved ones who died like he did with Lazarus. He will do it one day, amen! We will overcome the thorns, struggles and torments of this life. It will all be a thing of the past when He comes in the clouds for us. However, they are accomplishing a purpose in the here and now of our existence, while in these mortal bodies. 

My desire is to not always be in the front of the battle. ‘Why does it always have to be a struggle?’, I ask the Lord. I always pray to be allowed to serve Him where I can enjoy it and it doesn't feel I am in a battle. It's a process to learn to make the thorn work for me instead of bowing to it. But I still ask Him the same thing every time. I say, "You do it Lord, I won't leave my place. If you brought me here only you can move me. But if you will so, you can place me where the firing arrows do not hit so hard on my weak self, unless this is exactly how you want it to be for your sole Glory."

All other hopes can die, but ONE HOPE always remains. The hope of glory. He is coming soon and I can’t wait.

E.D.