Paul reveals: 'Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.' Pain as prevention against pride.
I have a chronic condition. Some days the pain is manageable. Some days it's disabling. I used to see it only as bad—limitation, frustration, loss. But Paul reframes it: the pain keeps me from pride. It forces me to rely on God instead of my own strength. It humbles me before people and before myself.
I prayed for years for healing. God's answer was: my grace is sufficient. Not because the pain is good. But because the grace that comes through limitation is deeper than the grace that comes through strength. I'm not grateful for the pain. But I'm grateful for the grace that comes with it.
No comments yet. Be the first.