The Gift of Affliction

It is hard, when it the midst of tumultuous circumstances that seem to be flooding down on us all at once, to view this affliction as a gift from God. But that's exactly what it can be if we choose to alter our view of what we're going through as an opportunity for God to refine us, humble us.... rather than looking at it all as just.... bad. I was reading in 2 Corinthians 12 and there is a passage from it that struck me as inspiring and encouraging. When reflecting on the "Thorn in his side" Paul says this:

"..... I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

"My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness."

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become." (MSG Version)

How many times have you complained to God about your "Thorn", your problems, your troubles? Cried out to Him to just make it all stop? I'm definitely guilty of this. But today, when I awoke at 3 am with my tooth throbbing; these thoughts came to mind.... what if my pain served a greater purpose? What if my afflictions physically, are an opportunity for growth spiritually? What if I simply trusted that His grace is truly enough, and recognized that in my trials, through my weakness, God is making me strong and His strength is being made perfect also? What if my "Thorn" kept me in constant touch with God because it reminded me of my human limitations and that I need Him above all things?

So today..... I'm letting Christ take over like Paul did. I'm going to take my afflictions in a humble stride. I'm going to choose to focus on Jesus and not my pain; on His goodness rather than the bad that may be happening to me and all around me. He is sovereign and has good reason for EVERYTHING I endure in this life. Of this I haven't a single doubt.

- Brianna Carey ©