GMG Devo: Thorns and Grace

From My Good Morning Girls Devo: 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 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 

(insert your name here) ,
for My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness

(your name here).”

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.

Any of you ever had a thorn? I know I have! It is so irritating until you just get it out! I have also experienced those spiritual thorns that Paul mentions here. They can be just as irritating, but are necessary, "lest we be exalted above measure". I think God allows things in our life sometimes to keep us close to Him.

The next verse sums it up-My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness. I added the parentheses, because this verse is so personal. We all struggle, go through trials and adversities which make us feel weak or hopeless. The key is to allow God's strength to carry you. So often we just want to do it our own way. That's when we lose the joy of the Lord in the situation.

Allow God's strength to be perfected through you. When you do, those around will see God in you.