In Second Corinthians 12 verses 7-9 we read, “Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In this text Paul talks about a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble.
This text came to my mind when I read the following FB post of a childhood friend in NY.
Doctors say I will never get better or go into remission…I am not giving up, but I want to make others aware. A nap won’t help. I am not lazy. I am on meds. I struggle with pain, mobility issues and fatigue every day. The most frustrating part is people look at me and say, “It can’t be that bad; you look fine.” Even though my body is experiencing excruciating pain all over.
I apologize if I miss events that I would luv to attend. One day you’ll understand my daily struggles. This disease affects me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I need your support, not your judgment.
She concludes with the following request.
“Please, in honor of someone who is fighting Autoimmune, Devic’s Disease (NMO) Sarcoidosis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gastroparesis, Thyroid diseases, Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Depression, Fibromyalgia, COPD, or any other hidden illnesses. True human kindness is Gods way.
Let’s Pray. Thank you, Lord that we never have to walk alone in our times of weakness because of sickness and disease. We acknowledge and confess that sickness and disease is sometimes caused by our actions and decisions and always, because we are a part of a corrupted and sin sick humanity resulting from the fall of Adam.
But we are ever so thankful to you oh God, for your love, mercy and compassion that heals us from the spiritual and physical impact of sin when Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities: when the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
So, Lord, we praise and thank you today for the joy of hope and healing. Thank you for your kindness and your encouragement, that lifts us up and gives us hope during those times when we cry out in anguish, as did David in Psalms 61, saying,
“Hear my cry, O Lord; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Thank you, Father God, because it is at this point, you not only hear our cry, but you make known to us the sufficiency of your grace in the time of our physical, emotional and spiritual illness and weakness.
In Christ name we thankfully pray Amen.
