Tag Archive | Thorn in my flesh

The Illusion of a Self-Made Woman

Apr9

LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. (Isaiah 26:14 NIV)

I am educated, have a career, decently paid, live in a safe neighborhood and drive a nice car. You could say that I am living the “American Dream”. Everything that everyone sees currently is all a blessing from the Lord. If people were to really understand the struggles, the sleepless nights and late night prayers crying out to my Heavenly Father, they would understand that this dream came with a mighty high price tag. Even with all the struggles that I endured, they now seem like a distant memory and I at times get caught up in the material blessings that God has given me. In fact, at times I can begin to believe that this wonderful life I have been given is due to all of my hard work. I fall under an illusion that I am a self-made woman.

Being a self-made woman means that I have not submitted myself, my thoughts and desires unto God. This life I am living is about me, my needs and wants. The illusion that I have built this life for myself can lead me to make decisions and then ask God for His input after I have already made my decision.

I must admit that for the past few weeks I have not been in prayer or studying the Word like I once had. Although, I believe that I love God and have a heart for Him, I was so busy making my own decisions that I wasn’t respecting His authority in my life.

Then like Paul I was given a thorn in my flesh. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. (II Corinthians 12:7 NIV)

Last week was one of the most challenging weeks I have had in quite some time. In fact my well put together world crumbled rapidly in a 24 hour period. I had no idea what decision to make and I was at a loss. Things that seemed so important just the day before paled in comparison to what I was facing. Could I actually deal with the situation? The answer was no, in my own power and strength I couldn’t. It was due to this “thorn” that for the first time in weeks I reached out to my Father in deep and sincere prayer. I knew that there was nothing humanly possible that could be done and I humbled my haughty heart to the Lord. I was in prayer like never before and made plans to begin fasting.

I thank God, for His perfect timing and orchestrated “thorns” in my life. Those are instances of Him calling me back to His loving arms. Do not allow thorns to harden your heart, allow them to draw you closer to Him. He might not remove the challenge but He can give you the strength and peace to endure it.  Allow the “thorns” to remind you that EVERYTHING that you have is from God and not from your own strength.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You so much for blessing me with material items, but help me to remember that things are not my source. Help nothing, not even my own desires, separate me from the path and plan that You have destined for my life. Help me to remember that I am made to worship You.  Help me to allow You to humble me when needed.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you to let God be ruler over every decision that you make. Do not allow things to become idols in your life.

Read a related EmpowerMoment: The Thorn in My Side

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Ms. Renee` N. Chaffin is a single mother who has a heart for helping those less fortunate. She has been active in the non-profit sector, whether through volunteerism or professionally, for the past six years.  She is passionate about sharing the love of God, her testimony and empowering people to discover their true potential that was bestowed on them by King of the Universe. Renee` is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration. While on her pursuit of higher education, she is on a seven year journey to challenge God to do ‘exceedingly and abundantly above all she can imagine’ in seven areas over the next seven years. Check out her journey at http://radical7even.wordpress.com. Her favorite scripture is I Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

The Thorn in My Side

Feb29

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT)

I’m sure many of you have heard people say that something (or someone) was a ‘thorn in their side’. This indicates something that is so irritating and frustrating that it is literally working your last nerve. It’s the type of thorn that Paul speaks of when he writes the church in Corinth. Yes, I know all too well about a thorn in the side. I am currently dealing with a thorn in my side, and honey is it painful! Like Paul, I have prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed and…well you get the point…to no avail. Nothing seems to be changing the situation. One day I found myself yelling to the heavens: “GOD, CAN YOU HEAR ME?”

Since I thought I was very familiar with the passage of scripture where Paul speaks of the thorn in his flesh, I knew I had it all figured out. Yes, it seemed as if God wasn’t moving on my behalf in the situation but just as it states in my 2nd Corinthians 12:9, I knew that God’s grace was sufficient during this time of utter weakness in my life. (Honestly, I haven’t always been relying on that grace but that’s an EmpowerMoment for another day!)

So there I was chugging along and thinking that I had everything all figured. Yes, the thorn was tearing a hole in my flesh; yes, it was painful; and yes, I wished that it would go away. But He said no and when I wanted to, I settled for His grace. His grace allowed me to extend grace to the thorn culprits. Sounds great, right? Well yeah, but I was missing the purpose of my thorn period…

So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. (2 Corinthians 12:7b NLT)

For the past two years my daily prayers have included a statement similar to this, “Lord, help me to remain humble in all my ways.” Because I understand my destiny in God, I am careful to ask Him to keep me grounded. I never want my ego to match my heights in Him. As I sat reflecting on this EmpowerMoment, I realized that irksome thorn has been in my flesh for two years as well. God has not removed it because it is what makes me human and reminds me that I need Him daily. My thorn reminds me that I require His grace daily and in turn I must share that grace with those around me.

Sisters, your futures are bright and you are closer to your destinies than you have ever been! With that in mind, know that God is going to place some painful thorns in your flesh. They aren’t meant to destroy you, but rather develop you into everything that He has created you to be. Your thorn may make you physically, mentally or even emotionally weak but remember the words of Paul:  “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT) If that’s not enough to encourage you, recall that Jesus endured a CROWN of thorns just for you!

As I write you today, my thorn is in the same place it’s been for the last two years. The difference, however, is my attitude. I’ve chosen to not to allow my thorn to steal my smile, my positivity or my overall quality of life! I’m choosing to accept the plan that God has decided is best for Kristen’s development!

Dear Daddy,

If I’ve never told You before, today I say thank You for the thorn in my flesh. I may not be able to see fully now why You haven’t removed this situation from my life, but I trust that Your plan is perfect. Remind me daily that Your grace is sufficient for me. Help me to share that same grace with those around me, even those who aid in my thorn pain. Lord, I praise You in advance for the woman that I shall be when You see fit to remove the thorn. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Ladies, today I EMPOWER you to simply endure your thorn pain. It won’t last forever but the more you try to dissect the thorn yourself, the deeper it becomes lodged in your flesh and the longer you have to wait for it to be removed.

Mrs. Kristen Harris is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and dedicated servant.  She is extremely passionate about women’s spiritual advancement, hence the founding of EmpowerMoments.  As an avid reader, Kristen enjoys reading the Bible and other non-fiction pieces. Her driving inspiration is when God says to her: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11) She currently resides outside of Chicago, Illinois with her wonderful husband and two lovely daughters where she is an active member of New Life Covenant Church.