Day 17 God knows the reason He allows thorns to remain in our lives

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Scholars have speculated about what the apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, but what we know is that it was a secret frustration that bothered him so much that he prayed three times for God to remove it. Paul says that he thought the thorn in his flesh was to keep him from getting proud, to keep him from getting puffed up because of the great revelations he had been given. Only God knows the reason He allows thorns to remain in our lives, but nothing happens by accident. That secret frustration may just be for a time of testing. It may be for a time when you have to prove to God that you’re going to be content and do your best when things are not going your way. You’re going to keep giving even when you’re not receiving. You’re going to keep trying when every door is closing. You’re going to keep doing the right thing even when you’re not seeing right results. You’re simply going to stay in faith.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are the sovereign God who alone knows what is best for me. I’m not going to let a secret frustration sour my life. I declare that Your grace is sufficient for me. Whether it ever changes or not, I declare that I’m still going to be my best and stay in faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Scriptures
Matthew 4:10
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'”

1 Corinthians 5:5
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:10
For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”