A Thorn

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. Psalm 42:5
Many years ago during a bout of depression, as I was praying about  it. I was wanting to be healed from feeling depressed. The thought came to me that perhaps it was thorn in the flesh for me, just as Paul spoke about the thorn in his flesh in 2 Corinthians above.  A handicap is what I thought, God perhaps saw I needed a handicap to keep me on the straight and narrow. I thought about different people I knew that had a physical handicap, like a person I worked with at the time had a bum leg and could not bend it at the knee. His whole life as far as  I knew, he walked funny. Or a young lady I saw one time had a cauliflower type growth on her ear. I decided if I had to have a handicap to get through life, I prefer the one God gave me, Depression. At the time I sometimes thought it was related to the difficult marriage I was in. Still to this day, I sometimes get depressed but not like it was so many years ago. I wonder if it lessened because I accepted it as a possible handicap from God? I do know God is more interested in our character, than our  comfort. I have seen others too, that seem to do better when they accept any handicap God has sent their way to develop their Character. One comes to mind, a person that had a stroke and can no longer walk like they used to. They want 100% healing and God has not done it. Could it be God is trying to deal with a character issue in their life?  If they accepted their state in life and looked to healing of their character, would they not be better off? It is just a thought, I cannot see into their heart, but God can.  I know another stroke victim and they are doing well, this person even mows lawns, dragging his one leg behind him. He has adapted and I admire his witness. This man can lift a lawn mower with one arm onto his pickup.  Another scripture tells us all things work for the good of those  who love God.     And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28. Is it because I accepted it as possibly from God , but my bouts of depression are not nearly what they use to be. That difficult marriage ended years ago, and perhaps it was a stress in my life that wore me down.  I do know God loves us and does what is best for us if we trust in him.   Ultimate healing will be reached in Heaven. If God does not heal 100% here below.  I desire to be like Job and praise God even in difficult circumstances.  Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. Job 13:15.  God bless, LVZ.