Thorny Thanks

Twila Paris performed the song, This Thorn. The first verse goes like this:

Thank you for this torn embedded in my flesh.
I can feel the mystery; my spirit is made fresh.
You are sovereign still and forever wise.
I can see the miracle opening my eyes
To a proud heart so quick to judge;
Laying down crosses and carrying grudges.
The veil has been torn
And I thank you for this thorn.

I was talking to a friend a short time ago and he was telling me about a difficult time he was going through. It was a genuine difficult time. It was indeed an unfair situation and most of us would have responded the same way he did with hurt and anger. But he was telling me about how he was praying and learning to set aside the hurt and anger. He made an interesting statement. "I don't ask God to take away the situation. I want Him to fix my heart."

Now, that's a perspective to consider. Imagine if you were more concerned about your heart condition than your comfort. Think what it might be like if you were more ardent for holiness than happiness. What would it look like if your strongest desire was to be what God wanted you to be at any cost? Would that change things?

I'm not saying it's wrong to ask for relief. Paul did it (2 Cor 12:7-8). Jesus did it (Matt 26:39-44). (Isn't it interesting that both of them asked three times? Just an observation.) So asking God to remove a difficult or painful situation isn't an issue. Do it. But if it is true that "He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth" (Dan 4:35) and if it is true that "all His works are right and His ways are just" (Dan 4:37) and He allows a condition to continue (you know, like Jesus prayed -- "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."), then perhaps we can trust God to do what is right and seek to rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer for His name (Acts 5:41) and "boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12:9-10) and give thanks in everything (1 Thess 5:18). Maybe we could thank Him for the thorn and even gain from it. Maybe.