I will be glad and rejoice
because of your constant love.
You see my suffering;
you know my trouble.

-Psalm 31:7 (GNT)

So often we hear preachers (especially on TV) who insist that (with the proper amount of faith) all ailments will be healed and we will live a life of material and spiritual prosperity in Jesus. While I agree that a life of spiritual prosperity in His love (which includes serving others) does offer an abundance of serenity and confidence (true prosperity), there is no guarantee of some of the blessings these teachers promote.

But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan’s messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. -2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (GNT)

Paul was left with affliction and God made it clear that He wanted it that way for His reasons. Most translations call it a “thorn in the flesh…” but whatever it was, it was something that Paul prayed to have removed and yet God chose not to. Sometimes, that’s the way it is. When our Lord is glorified, it is always in our best interests that it is so. What He always gives us is enough love and protection to see us through the darkest times. May all glory to be God our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit, as we ponder the meaning of His Word and the promise of this holy holiday that will soon be upon us.