Conceited
To keep me from becoming conceited…there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me,” My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ) This Scripture has probably been picked cleaner than a chicken leg at Popeyes on a Sunday afternoon … two things in particular. What was the “thorn” and why just “three” times ? Does it really matter ? Paul was boasting about “a man” that had been caught up to the “third heaven” ( Heaven, heaven…not the heaven-on-earth one or the galaxy heaven, but the “Paradise” Heaven…the eternal home of all believers who’ve placed their faith in Jesus )…where inexpressible things were heard ( verses 2-4 ) that man is not permitted to tell. He goes on to tell us that he was given this “thorn in his flesh” to keep him from being conceited. We all know that “conceitedness” ain’t nothin but “pridefulness” … and prideful folks always wind up their own worst enemies. Of course, our curiosity HAS t’ be tickled concerning that thorn. Maybe it was hemorrhoids…a constant kink in his back or an itch that wouldn’t go away. Maybe it was something he’d seen that played over-and-over in his mind, like an endless loop. Imagine what you will … shoot…liken it to some ailment that plagues YOU, every day. I mean, you ain’t perfect; right ? Stuff hurts. There’s that naggin pain in your shoulder or knee…maybe a constant pain in your lower back…maybe poor eyesight or hard-of-hearing. No matter our “thorn”, why’d Paul stop after asking for relief that third time ? Shoot … i ask ever day ! Lord, please take this ache and pain outta my ankle and wrist ! Please give physical healing to Pennye Jacobs Lewis. Make us well so we can serve you longer, Lord … minus the pain and suffering😁. And if we asked Paul why he stopped at three, he’d probably respond…” Because three represents “completeness”…an earnest plea receiving a final answer. Jesus…in the garden, hours before his crucifixion…prayed three consecutive times that the Father would “take the cup ( of death ) from him”( Matthew 26:39,42,44 )…only to relent to “God’s will”…accepting his lot and trusting that the Father “had his back.” We’d be lyin if we said we don’t wish for bodies that don’t hurt, no problems at work, no anxiety and uncertainty, no home problems, etc; etc; etc.. But hey ! That’s life; right ? Stuff happens. What we don’t inherit, we catch. And God won’t hold it against us if we ask for deliverance or healing, more than three times. If his answer is no, then we can move on. If it’s,” Not right now”, then keep on asking ! Just remember…just because we deal with pain and suffering doesn’t mean that God’s punishing us from something we did … doesn’t mean that He’s not hearin our cries for help. Sometimes, it’s to get us ready for something coming. Sometimes, it’s so we can use our testimony to encourage someone else. Sometimes, it’s just to test our faith in Him. No matter the “why” or “what for”, let’s just remember His words to Paul that day …” My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ( vrs 9-10 ). Our strength lies not in ourselves, but in Christ who lives within us ! All things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes ( Romans 8:28 ). Serving through faith and “obedience” … not “conceitedness”…till He calls us Home !🙌