(Revised by Chris Hayden, 11/10/20)

I heard a phrase from a wise mentor of mine when I was going through a particularly difficult time early on in my ministry.  He said to me, “God will use you and bless you no-matter what circumstances surround you. He will bless you where you are, He can’t bless you where you are not.”  When I find myself planted in a difficult situation, the Lord seems to always bring that phrase to my remembrance.  

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul addresses this same concept as he struggles to deal with his own “thorn in the flesh.”  We do not know exactly what this thorn in the flesh was that oppressed him whether it was a person, a sickness, a physical challenge or another difficult circumstance in Paul’s life.  It really does not matter what it was, what is important is the attitude Paul embraced and the manner in which he dealt with his thorn.  What we know is that it was something the Apostle requested of the Lord to be removed yet God refused saying, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my strength is made perfect in weakness.” God lets Paul know that it is this place of weakness that God can display his power in our lives. Isn’t that how God’s power shows up most of the time?  When we can’t, He always can? Otherwise, we tend to give credit to the person for accomplishments or to ourselves regarding those things that only God can do.

This brings us to today.  We are in difficult times to say the least.  And do not get me wrong.  It is ok to be angry when we see a pandemic that has hurt so many families in so many ways.  And it is perfectly legitimate to get heated when we see injustice and corruption in our government and in our world. I am extremely frustrated by the things I see today and have no problem telling others about it.  But at the end of the day, I know that God is sovereign.  He is the omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and omni-authoritarian (sovereign) God of omni-things (All things, LOl). So I need to be omni-trusting, knowing I have an omnibenevolent Father who is in charge. 

Are you going through a difficult time right now? Have you prayed, yet it appears that God has refused to remove the thorn? In the place you are planted, and in the circumstances we seem to find ourselves, trust the Lord. As you do so, His strength will become apparent in your weakness.

Be blessed and be grateful,

Pastor Chris