When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without

by Laura Story

Can you think of any prayer you’ve prayed where you thought God didn’t answer? Looking back, can you see that perhaps his answer was, “No, I’m not going to take that thing away. I’m going to leave it right where it is”? If that’s happened to you, let’s pause here to make sure you understand what God didn’t say to Paul. He didn’t say, “I’m going to leave it there because you were a terrible person in the past, and you don’t deserve to have it taken away!” God didn’t say, “I wish I could take it away from you, Paul, I really do. It’s just that I’m not strong or powerful enough to take it away.” And God didn’t say, “Stop your whining! The reason I’m not removing your stupid thorn is because I don’t care about it, and I don’t care about you!” Paul wasn’t being punished. Paul was loved. And neither are you being punished. You are also loved. God loves and cares for Paul despite anything he had done in the past or would do in the future. And God certainly has the power to remove this unknown thorn anytime he wants. But God is saying, “For now, I want to leave this thing with you because my power is made perfect in your weakness. And even though it hurts and you’re suffering because of it, my grace is sufficient for you regardless of what it feels like.” Could God be saying something similar to me? And to you? If so, what should our response be? Maybe it should be the same as Paul’s—: Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest ...