“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given 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.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christʼs power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:2-9 NIV
Maybe sometimes we feel like Paul and we find ourselves sitting in a bed of thorns. We never imagine that we would go through some of the trials that we go through. Never imagine us passing through some of the tests. I recently read somewhere, “A faith that is tested by fire is a faith that can be trusted.”
In some form or another we are tested. It’s winter. It’s cold. These conditions are making many people fall under the weather because of the constant temperature fluctuation.
Work to do and so much preparation that comes with ending and starting another year. So much of it tends to be sweet then becomes bitter. This time of the year can be very difficult for many, especially if they have suffered some type of loss. We dress, press and stress. I couldn’t bring myself to post this as I started this blog a month ago, not only sitting in a bed of thorns but swimming in a bed of tears numerous times.
I found something though. His grace. His gift given to me to take me through any storm. We are just sailing through at this point. Here’s another one. SURFS UP!!!! I cried my way throughout. Maybe I am just a very expressive person…. it just hurts ya know! STUFF hurts! We are human. I needed God to work ay my soulish realm more than anything else.
He is speaking. Everyday. Draw me close God. The only way to walk through the bed of thorns and come out with victory is through God! You take us through it all as Isaiah 43 declares! Gotcha! I’m getting this thing called US!
We are the VICTOR!!!
“Don’t let victim become a part of your identity. Victor and victim both have the same Latin prefix, Vic, which means to ‘win, conquer.’ The difference in the words is in who does the conquering. We can let our circumstances conquer us or we can choose to rise up and remember that ‘in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’ Romans 8:37”. ~John Siebeling (Moving Forward)
