Happy Memorial Day!
In Christ,
Laura
Week 5 – May 27—June 2
Monday/Tuesday—Read the first half of Chapter 5 “Do You Know I Am Suffering
with a Thorn?...He Is My Sufficiency.” Journal your thoughts in your book or a
notebook as you read.
Wednesday/Thursday—Read the second half of Chapter 5.
Friday—Spend time in prayer and reflection.
Catch up on the reading if necessary.
Questions to Ponder— (from the end of the book)
- What is your “thorn”?
- What could God be showing you by not removing it
right now?
- How can you use your weaknesses to be a stronger person, and strengthen your faith?
The way I understand 'thorn' is a messenger from satan. IMHO, the beatings, imprisonment and other trials which the apostle Paul experienced were instrumented by satan in order to destroy his faith, but God allowed them as instruments to sharpen Paul's faith in Him.
ReplyDeleteMy 'thorn' is a woman who is influenced by satan (more than likely unknowingly) to discourage and cause me stress. From time to time she 'jabs' me with unkind words and sneery innuendos; however, this serves to cause me to cast my care upon the Lord and to rest in Him and His Word. When this woman speaks negative and hurtful words over my life, I speak the promises of God and refuse to listen to her negativity. I could not cope with this woman in my own strength.
What is the Lord teaching me by not removing this woman from my life? Patience, endurance, forgiveness, rest in the place of prayer and His Word.
I think I understand a "thorn" somewhat differently. Because we live in a fallen world there will always be issues, people, situations, etc. that we will have to endure, even when we wish we didn't. These are things God may take away, or He may not. If He doesn't, I don't believe He is punishing us, but instead using it to draw us closer to Him. It's in these times our faith and trust in Him can grow more than when everything is going well.
ReplyDeleteSatan can use these same things to try to get us to doubt God, to have bad thoughts about ourselves and others, and to act in ways that are not God-pleasing. For example, an issue God chooses not to remove may have me constantly frustrated to the point where I become angry with God. satan loves that.
Whatever we have to endure, I believe God can and will bring good from it for us or for others, even if we don't see it first hand.
God bless,
Laura
Quote: "...Because we live in a fallen world there will always be issues, people, situations, etc. that we will have to endure, even when we wish we didn't. These are things God may take away, or He may not. If He doesn't, I don't believe He is punishing us, but instead using it to draw us closer to Him. It's in these times our faith and trust in Him can grow more than when everything is going well..."
ReplyDeleteI agree! My faith has grown more during times of trial. I sometimes become blasé when things are going along smoothly.