Dear Church, Gently Remind Her
I struggle with the idea of Paul’s thorn not being removed. Paul asked three times for it to be removed and God said no. Instead, God gave him sufficient grace to endure (2 Cor 12:1-10)
What do you think when you read that? Sometimes, if I’m being honest, sufficient grace supplied instead of what I’ve asked of God seems like a second-place consolation prize. I mean, grace is well and good, but just remove the thorn already, God. Can’t you see he’s in pain and agony?
But if God is good (and we believe He is—Ps 106:1) and that all His ways are good (and we believe they are—Ps 18:30) and all His plans for us are for our good if we are in Christ (and we believe they are Rom 8:28), then sufficient grace in the wake of a NO is well and truly the best and most loving answer to our cries.
It comes down to unbelief doesn’t it? Do I really believe that God is good? That He is actually enough? Have my wants become idols- mini “saviors” I look to for rescue, relief, and fulfilment? Do I really trust that God is working all things for my good? Even the thorns and thistles that feel like agony? Is He strong and kind enough to turn thorns into fragrant blooms?
He is.
Dear Church, this is a hard truth to believe—gently remind the abandoned women in your midst that while, yes, it is hard, it is actually the best news possible. Remind her that God’s grace is a lavish and sustaining gift. It is never second place. It is never an unloving answer.
Dear Church, these abandoned women have likely heard really (really!) difficult no’s from God. And that is a hard place to walk. She is likely very weary. And probably very wary too. In all gentleness and love, remind her of the goodness of God. Remind her of His “enoughness”. Remind her that Jesus is her Daily Bread. He will sustain her, thorns and all. Help her remember.
A no from God followed by an abundant shower of sufficient grace is never a consolation prize. It is the very rain that softens the heart, making way for thorns to grow into flowers. Sufficient grace is a deep and good gift from our Heavenly Gardener. He knows what He’s doing. We can trust Him to work it all for our good and His glory.