Honestly, due to what I thought were overwhelming and never-ending circumstances, there was a time in my life when I didn’t feel like I could trust the Lord with any part of my heart.
What’s your affliction, your thorn, today? Is it insecurity or inferiority? Is it a spiritual, health, job, family or financial issue? Are you concerned about current world conditions?
My own understanding of things can make me restless, tired and worn out. And, with migraines, it can be hard to trust my own understanding. I’m actually getting to the point where it seems pretty futile to “lean on my own understanding,” at all. Hmmm…
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly (sounds like Paul’s getting what the Lord wants him to rest in, Him, no matter what condition or situation Paul’s in) therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
“But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him (Jesus)!”
Matthew 8:27
Paul prayed asking for the Lord to remove his infirmity. Like many of us, he hadn’t yet understood what manner of man Jesus was, how powerful Jesus was, that He could control any storm.
Like me, I believe the Apostle Paul didn’t like his infirmity and probably thought he could serve the Lord better without it, especially when healing was such a large part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. And just like many of us living with physical afflictions, Paul couldn’t have perceived the value of his thorn in the flesh until it helped him come to the place where he could realize that he was finally able to trust in the Lord with all his heart. Until, like Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord all night, we get to that place of trusting in the Lord with all our heart, our infirmity will seem unfair and unpleasant – like a thorn. But when “circumstances” keep coming (and they do), those who continue to seek the Lord inevitably arrive at the place of complete surrender, true peace and rest, trusting in the Lord no matter what with all their heart.
Pretty sure I had another migraine attack in bed last night. I’m feeling pretty dull mentally and my head has lots of pressure this morning. Why am I telling you this? Well, it’s definitely not so you’ll feel sorry for me. No way. =)
I was feeling low this morning. Then, the Lord asked me to praise Him. I began to praise Him in my heart and then had another, discouraging thought. These opposing thoughts went back and forth for about two minutes when the Holy Spirit began to share something really wonderful with me.
He said, “Mark, can you see the two thoughts that are competing for your attention right now? One thought makes you fearful and anxious, but when you thank and praise Me regardless of how you “feel” right now due to the migraines, the fear and anxiety subside, right? You feel My calm soothe you. You sense that you can trust Me even in your weakened condition, right?” I agreed with what He was saying. I could really experience what the Holy Spirit was pointing out to me. He went on, “When you thank and praise Me, you have the spiritual strength to trust Me, even now. You can trust that I’m in control of your life. I want you to know that I’m taking you to the place in your spirit where you’ll be able to trust in Me with all your heart. That means that the battle to trust Me will have been won. Your thoughts will no longer seesaw between fearful, discouraging thoughts when you feel weak and the trust you have in your heart when you thank and praise Me in all things. Do you understand how beautiful this is? Not many people can trust in Me with all their heart. But because you’re seeking Me, I’m taking you to that strong place. Do you see what I mean? I, alone, can take you to the place where no circumstance will be able to keep you from trusting Me with all your heart. If that wasn’t true, I would not have placed that scripture (Proverbs 3:5-6) in My Word. But it is true, and I’ll prove it to you.”
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Wow, precious people. I’m telling you right now, I can’t think of anything more wonderful, more freeing, more peaceful, more rest-inducing than being able to trust in the Lord with all your heart, to really know with all your heart that God’s always with you, always in control of your life. This is worth more than all the world’s wealth because it’s not at all dependent on circumstances, and losing your wealth does rely on the condition of “What if I lose it?”
Boy, it’s going to be really wonderful to trust in the Lord with all my heart. There will no longer be any room for even a molecule of doubt. =)
That makes me happy.
Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:35
None of these conditions/circumstances/situations can separate us from the love of God. That’s the incredible point our loving Savior wants us to understand. His perfect love casts out the fear associated with circumstances. Let Him take you to that marvelous, spiritual reality.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…Ahhhh.
God bless,
Mark