Sarcasm? Perhaps it
sounds like that. Many people use
sarcastic comments to illustrate their dislike of some circumstance. I am not expressing sarcasm though… nor am I
trying to come across as some self-righteous zealot. Let me explain.
I suffer from arthritis, and migraines. Often experiencing pain I would not wish on
my worst enemy. Some days it hurts to
breathe, or wiggle my toes. During these
times I turn to God for support. I plead
for miraculous cures that don’t exist.
Thankfully I have found Tylenol, Advil, and ice to be reliable for the
most part.
Some days I am pain free.
The first pain free day I might thank God for relief, and for the blue
sky, and the birdsong in the trees. The
next, I thank him for my blessings and the rain, and the smell of lilac on the
breeze. By the third day I almost forget
what the pain was like, and I stop leaning on God so much. Over time I imagine that I might get lost in
the trappings of life, blessed as I am, and forget to thank God at all. Until the pain returns and I am reminded that
I am weak, and need God to help.
I was thinking about Paul today as I read from 2 Corinthians
chapter 12. He was given a thorn in his
side, and pleaded with God to remove it.
In verse 9 God refused, stating “My power is made perfect in your
weakness.” I wondered what the “thorn” may have been. Could Paul have suffered from arthritis or
migraines as well? Paul accepted the
“thorn” and praised God for the chance to experience the fullness of God’s glory. How can I then cry foul, or plead for
relief. I am reminded instead to praise
God all the more, and humbly ask for His help to get over the hurdles I might
face.
So yes, thank you God for my back pain, and my migraines; it
reminds me I am blessed, and loved; I have a roof over my head, and a wonderful
job. Most importantly, I have a loving
God who cares for me.
