By Rosie Moore
September and October were not good months for me. Let me tell you. Labor Day I opened the door of my pantry and bottle of vinegar fell on my left foot. I doctored it with ice and pain medicine and it seemed to get better. Then, suddenly, it became worse. When I finally had the good sense to see a podiatrist, I was informed I had a little broken bone in my foot.
Then I woke up one morning and my hearing aid was in two pieces. I don’t know how that happened. I place it under my pillow while I’m sleeping. Another mystery.
In October my sister in Florida passed way. Another dear friend of mine had a stroke. I’m sure by now, you know what my thorns in life were during those Autumn months.
I am not complaining. God has helped me during those trying times. I have much to be thankful for. I read in God’s Word a letter from Paul to Timothy regarding the thorn in his side:
“To keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn, given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, ‘my gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weaknesses.”
Many have speculated as to the nature of Paul’s thorn; it could have been a chronic physical ailment or perhaps a psychological problem His focus was not on what his thorn was, but rather on why God allowed it. He was able to boast about his weaknesses because he recognized that his condition provided a showcase for God’s divine power to be displayed through his life.
If there are thorns in your life, don’t worry, they are there for a purpose. They are there to show you that God will take care of you no matter how many thorns there are. Trust Him!
It is wonderful to have a day of thanksgiving once a year, but even more wonderful to be thankful every day of the year, even with our thorns.
Thought for the day: God knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)
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