We all have these thoughts at one point or another. I know I have. Its just so crazy. The Apostle Paul was a great example. This was a man who's chewed and hateful soul had been restored with a touch of the Master's hand. A man who had dedicated his life to the ministry of Christ and to the service of our Lord. And yet, he had a deep 'thorn' as he called it, that tormented his very being. I recently read 2 Corinthians 12:7 where Paul talked about this difficulty in his letter. It was such a great encouragement to me and I think he was right in seeing how it 'humanized' and humbled him before God. Because God's grace is so great, so filling, it is sufficient for us. Trials come in order to develop perserverance (James 1), not to harm us or because our Lord is off getting his nails done. He is ever watchful and nothing happens without Him knowing about it... without Him allowing it. And He would only allow it for a reason... because He is the one seeing the bigger picture here. He's the one holding the plans to each and every one of our lives. God knows best as someone told me once. Paul knew this, and even though this thorn burned him, he kept his trust in God. And this is what keeps me going too. Because I know that every time I jump head long into a battle field it is not just me fighting my way through, there's a greater hand helping me swing a sword that otherwise I would not have the strength to swing. Its the same hand that dries the tears when we suffer through the thorns. We should be amazed at His wonders and thankful for our trials because He prepares us in each one for something else He knows we will have to go through... to teach us perserverance and to shape a heart devoted to a Sovereign God.

   Baby steps help a baby learn to walk fully. Little trials help us learn how to conquer bigger ones... while we remember who gives us the strength to do so. This is my deepest prayer: That my heart and all of our hearts would be steady and continually walk for His glory... even while we carry these thorns.