Find Joy In Today

Have you ever gone through a trial that seemed to last forever? No matter how often you pray for relief, none can be obtained. It feels like you’re caught in a never-ending cycle of struggle, where each day brings its own challenges and weight to bear. You might find yourself questioning why these hardships have become a part of your life, searching for answers in the stillness of your mind. As the hours turn into days, and the days into weeks, a sense of weariness settles in. The more you pray, the more God seems to be silent. “Why won’t you take this pain away, Lord?

I remember a time when I prayed and waited 13 years for a healing that seemed perpetually out of reach. Each time I thought I was getting better, something unexpected would happen, and I found myself right back where I started. The physical pain and uncertainty that came with the disease was overwhelming, suffocating me with each setback. Questions like, “Would I need another surgery?” and “Would I be completely healed?” swirled through my mind on a daily basis, creating anxiety that I could not shake. Some days, when the darkness felt particularly heavy, I felt like I was on this journey alone, as though the world continued to spin while I remained trapped in a cycle of hope and despair.

I’m reminded of a Bible verse that could sum up what I was feeling during this particular season of my life.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 says:

“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Paul’s Background

Let me give you a little background about Paul leading up to this verse. Scripture tells us that Paul was a great man of God whose ministry was growing exponentially. Many miracles and salvations occurred during his ministry through the power of Christ, drawing countless individuals to the transformative message he preached. He brought the Good News to the Gentile people and burned with unparalleled zeal for God, tirelessly traveling to various regions to spread the Gospel. However, amidst his successes and the lives he transformed, we see that Paul had something that was deeply troubling him. It bothered him so much that he fervently prayed three times for this burden to be removed. Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” that caused him considerable angst and pain, serving as a constant reminder of his vulnerability despite his calling. Although we are not certain what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, many scholars believe it could have been acute pain or a chronic sickness that plagued him throughout his journeys. Some even propose that it might have been spiritual in nature—such as a relentless temptation or persecution from an individual who constantly harassed Paul, challenging his faith and resolve. In any case, he was growing very distressed, yearning for peace amidst the turmoil he faced.

We learn from this passage that although Paul prayed three times for this thorn to be removed, God didn’t remove it. It is at this point that I ask myself why didn’t God answer Paul’s prayer? He was a faithful servant full of faith and doing the work of the Lord; and yet, God didn’t remove the very thing that was distressing him the most.

What was God’s answer to Paul’s request? My grace is sufficient for you. The Amplified version says it this way: My grace is sufficient for you (My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough-always available-regardless of the situation; for My power is being perfected and is completed and shows itself most effectively in your weakness.”

God’s grace would be enough for Paul to bear through the pain and anguish he was experiencing. Paul’s thorn kept him humble and reminded him of his constant need and reliance on God. Could it be that sometimes our prayers are not answered quickly because God is wanting to use our circumstances to draw us closer to himself?

When I was praying and waiting for my own prayer to be answered, I began to notice something profound. Every time I would have a flare-up, I would start to press into God even more, immersing myself in prayer and studying my Bible more than I already was. It was during these moments of distress that I discovered the depth of my faith. The “thorn” was, in fact, drawing me closer to God in ways I had never anticipated. When I felt weak and doubted my ability to carry on any longer, God would demonstrate His Power to me in extraordinary ways. His grace allowed me to push through my circumstances with renewed strength and purpose. Although the experience was often unpleasant and challenging, I began to see that my thorns were serving as an aid rather than a handicap. They were reminders of my dependence on God and His unfailing love. Paul realized this point long before I did, and it may well be why he wrote 2 Corinthians 12:10: as a testament to the strength that can be found in weakness, emphasizing that it is through our struggles that we truly discover the power of God’s grace.

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

What is Paul trying to say here? The beauty of weakness lies not in the weakness itself, but in how God’s power shines through it. He is our strength and our strong tower, providing support when we feel we cannot stand on our own. God reassures us that we are never alone in our struggles; rather, we are cradled in the arms of a loving God who uses our weaknesses to display His extraordinary grace and strength, empowering us to face life’s challenges with renewed hope.

The Blessing

I remember a song that was popular years ago written by Laura Story called Blessing that she wrote during a very serious illness her husband was enduring. She went through episodes of fear and loneliness that caused her to see God’s blessings from a different perspective. The chorus of the song goes:

“What if your blessings come through raindrops, what if your healing comes through tears, what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near. What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life, is the revealing of a greater thirst this would can’t satisfy. And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?”

Have you been there? I know I sure have. But instead of allowing our minds to go down the path of God doesn’t care about us, we need to change our perspective and our mindset and put our trust in God. He can be trusted and He knows what He has in store for our future. Delay is not denial.

Conclusion

We have learned that sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we think He should. He may ask us to wait for a season or go through a learning season. His answer to my 13 year prayer was more surgery. But that is how He wanted me to walk out my healing.

My biggest question for you is this: If God never answers your prayer the way you want or never removes the thorn from your flesh, will you still love and serve Him with all your heart and soul? Run to God in your pain, for He is and will always be right by your side, offering comfort and strength in times of trouble. It is important to remember that faith is not merely about receiving what we ask for; it is about developing a deeper relationship with our Creator, even in the moments of uncertainty. The trials you are going through may feel overwhelming, but they could be serving a greater purpose that you may never know the answer to until you get to heaven. Embrace the journey and allow yourself to grow through the challenges, for each challenge brings an opportunity for spiritual growth and a closer encounter with His unwavering love and grace.

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