This blog is the last in a three-part series, “Surviving Sticky Situations.” In the previous blogs I gave background references to this study’s main scripture, 1 Corinthians 12:4. Furthermore, I shared two of three principles as Paul deals with his “thorn in the flesh” that he defined from opposing perspectives.
On the one hand, Paul characterized it as “Satan’s messenger to torment” him. On the other hand, the thorn in his flesh served to keep him humble.
Accept God’s Answer
In part 1 (March 30, 2022 blog), you may recalled the first principles: Paul accepted God’s answer.
Paul pleaded with God three times to take away the “thorn” in his flesh. God answered by saying to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you…” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV).
By accepting God’s answer, Paul endured this experience more focused on God’s grace and less preoccupied with his problem.
In your difficult situation, be open to God’s answer. God knows what is best for you. In return, you will be amazed as God’s grace anchors, sustains and strengthens you to endure so that you end up better than expected.
Part 2 of this study (April 20, 2022 blog) discusses the second principle for surviving sticky situations. Paul assessed the situation. Jesus said to Paul “…for my power is made perfect in weakness.” He concluded that his experience had a purpose beyond himself. God gave Paul the strength so that he would be humbled and helpful. Paul discovered purpose in his pain as he assessed the situation. Thus, God honored Paul with this extraordinary spiritual experience. Equally, God humbled Paul with this intense physical affliction.
Assess the Situation
As Paul assessed his situation, he recalled this spiritual experience as he lived with his physical affliction. The two worked together to keep him grounded.
Paul accounted for other past blessings. He looked back and said I can now boast because the power of Christ was there every time.
You may have experienced situations when you were at the end of your rope, ready to throw in the towel, low in spirit or discouraged. You may have been so weakened until you did not know what to do.
But then you prayed. God gave you power to keep going and not give up. God intervened and gave you strength you never thought you had.
You need to remember those times because they are a reference, a proven track record that is needed to survive future sticky situations. Account for past blessings in your life — all of them, not just the extraordinary. God is beyond being a one-hit wonder. Everyday is a day of thanksgiving.
Account for other past blessings, big and small. Don’t just wait on big blessings and forget about everyday blessings such as breath to breathe, food on the table, legs to walk and a voice to talk. Account for those blessings, too.
I have one more story to share. It is about the One who knows best what it is like to experience thorns in the flesh.
Before they nailed His hands and feet, followed by a spear in His side, soldiers gathered thorny branches. They twisted and braided them together to form a crown. The soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head.
So, Jesus literally experienced thorns piercing His flesh. Jesus knew what it was like to experience weakness, to be in the center of God’s purpose and yet endure messages from Satan. Jesus was accused and made fun of. He journeyed to Calvary physically weak and still carrying the cross. He reached the place where He was crucified on that same cross. In both instances, Jesus heard all sorts of messages from Satan.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to God three times. Jesus took with Him three disciples, asked them to be watchful while He prayed. Jesus came back each time and found them sound asleep. At one point, Jesus stressed the need to be watchful because Jesus said, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
God’s purpose was for Jesus to suffer and then die. God was not going to change the situation. Jesus accepted God’s answer. He was to suffer and die for our sins.
After Jesus prayed three times, He was ready to face crucifixion at Calvary.
They afflicted His body until He got so weak that life was no longer left in Him. Jesus died. But Jesus also predicted that after they destroyed His body in three days, He would rise again. Jesus had assessed the situation.
On the third day, the power of God raised Jesus from the dead. As Jesus reappeared to others after His resurrection, Jesus gave an account of past blessings God performed in His life. Jesus was a living witness to the power of God.
It is the same power that God will give when you are weak from situations that represent your thorns in the flesh. This power will help you survive sticky situations, strengthen you to endure suffering and comfort you so that you can comfort others.
It is the same power that brings your faith front and center. God gives this power as an act of His amazing grace. God‘s grace is necessary and sufficient so that you can accept God‘s answers, assess your situation and account for other past blessings.
Let God’s grace help you survive any sticky situation you encounter.
Until next time,
Keep the faith
Anita