Embracing My Thorn

In his book The Power of the Blood author Bob Sorge says that the enemy has only three tricks: discouragement, distraction and temptation.[i] However this week our Awesome Lord worked all three together for His Glory by personally showing me the power of Embracing My Thorn of Disability.

OK Christians—let’s talk about the “H” word. No not Heaven nor Hell. I’m thinking of one far more emotionally charged—especially for people and families affected by disability: HEALING.

Lord knows I have done everything within my power (note—MY power) to Name-n-Claim the miraculous healing so many Christians believe is clearly within my grasp. All I have to do is Believe, right? And with the 20^th anniversary of my December 1, 1995 diagnosis of MS looming large on the horizon, suffice to say that I am susceptible to indulging in a little well-meaning but ultimately misguided attempts at Self-Healing.

Thanks to the miracle of Facebook I now have easy 24/7 access to personal opinions about my health challenges and how best to combat them. Free opinions—but not necessarily priceless.

This week is a glowing example.

A small contingent of my fellow MS Buddies rejoiced upon hearing that at long last I decided to take up the Paleo Torch— i.e. to ditch my crazy wacky modern dietary habits and pursue with passion the culinary roots of my Paleolithic ancestors. Beans? Begone! Dairy? Ditch it. Eggs? Consider them Exorcised! Because now in my new more enlightened nutritional state of mind only fresh fruits, veggies and nuts along with grass-fed or wild-caught fish or meats will suffice.

Boldly I sojourned to the local Sprouts health food market to acquire the new tools of My Healing! Voila! I proceeded to whip up the most intoxicating stew of self-sufficiency (laced with a little flaxseed oil) that my lowly kitchen has ever seen. Topped off with organic berries for dessert and in no time I shall be shall be Dancing with the Stars just like God!

Unwisely I chose to sup on the sofa which quickly went awry. Upon realizing I was unable to transfer my unhealed carcass safely back to my scooter, I cried out to Beloved (aka my husband Larry who thankfully works at home) with palpable panic. Valiantly he sprang into action, successfully swooping his Damsel in Distress out of harm’s way! But alas! During the Rescue Mission we managed to overturn the unholy concoction onto our favorite loveseat where we both plopped down atop the leftover remnants of my half-full bowl of empty promises.

Though the Apostle Paul begged the Lord three times to remove his “thorn in the flesh,” (which appears to have been some physical disability, possibly blindness), the Lord answers that “my grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9).” Humbly now with stew-soaked bum I return to that place I’ve been so many times before—ready to begin yet again Embracing My Thorn of Disability. Acknowledging at long last that the only way success could ever be remotely possible is solely because of the thorns that He so willingly embraced for me with Love on Calvary.

[i] Bob Sorge, Power of the Blood:  Approaching God With Confidence (Grandview, MO: Oasis House, 2012), Kindle edition Location 1284

Image Source:  http://goo.gl/YBz8ih