Paul recognized there was “this thorn in the flesh, sent by Satan to torment me…” (2 Cor 12:7). I often wonder who is this “thorn” and why does Satan wants to torment us with a thorn and why did God allows it? Have you ever wonder aloud like me?
I went to a seminar where we were divided into small groups for discussions and I was in the leaders group, supposedly learning how to organize choir, worship team etc. The moderator, from Hong Kong has a successful ministry in the music industries and knows a lot of contemporary singers who are very popular and who are Christians. So he shared with us about a “thorn” who has constantly been “poking” him. But the difference was, he said that this thorn was allowed by God.
He was very miserable and has often complained to God about this person and wondered why God didn’t remove him just as he has prayed. After 10 long years, with this guy continuously bugging him, one day his eyes blinked. He realized that though this person has been such a pain in the neck but because of him, he has actually improved greatly. He also realized that this “thorn” was not happy himself. life is still not easy but they managed to become friends, at least.
So he shared with us this: don’t take the “thorns” in your life lightly. Even though we wished that they are not there but in reality everyone has his/her thorn. Face it, with the presence of this “thorn” you have been trying pretty hard to improve, right?
Do you have a boss or senior or superior who often given you trouble and who purposely trying to make your life difficult? Or you have a teacher or a senior person who seem to “bully” you often? Now take a new look at them. Do not ask God to remove them (very likely you are removed before they do). If you manage to weave around them and learn to excel in the most difficult time, knowing that you are not doing it for anyone, nor please anyone but you are doing it unto God (Col 3:17).
Here are some pointers and hope that they will be eye opener for you:
1. Treat them like a friend (Ps Dan often says, “It’s better to have one more friend than to have an enemy”. So it doesn’t matter if they are being difficult – just bear in mind, they are your future best friend.
2. Pray for them daily and commit their needs to God. Remember when you pray, you are breaking down spiritual barriers and walls that hinder the relationship. Prayer will open their eyes to see the truth as it is.
3. Keep up the Christian testimony – “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16) No one says that this is going to be easy but endurance and long sufferings will pay off in the end when you continue to shine for Jesus.
4. Lastly, love your enemy and pray for them. No one could actually reject love. People who seem to reject love is not because they are rejecting you but that they themselves could not accept love. Maybe at one point in their lives, they have been truly hurt and this was not handled properly. It became a gangrene that will not go away until they trust love again. So maybe God is using you to help this person to trust in true love again. And this time, love is none other than in our Lord Jesus Christ.
So I pray that you will be encouraged with these words. I didn’t say that it’s going to be easy but with God’s help, you will overcome. Not only overcome but you will be victorious. You can start with Praying and Loving that person first. Remove the stain glass that you have been wearing all these whiles and start looking with the compassion of God. I guarantee you will see a different picture.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
08, 17 Nov – Kuching
We arrived at Kuching on the 13 Nov, Thursday. The night before, I had a nightmare that the 10th anniversary program did not turn out well. I was all cold sweat and fear but I quickly prayed and asked God for assurance and I thank God for His faithfulness. I knew, at that point that God is in control and I am only one of His servants to make it happen in so that all glory to Him.
Then when we arrived in Kuching both Daniel and myself were dead tired and were feeling really exhausted. I guess it is the happenings for the last few weeks that had drained us out of all our energy. Though now I recognized that these are all spiritual warfare but I was still sad over the incidences. The question: what has happened to our church leaders that they could raise such un-trustful questioning over us? Though the hurts is dimming but the impact is still bearing.
Nevertheless, we tried to sleep and take as much rest as possible before we start the camp the next day.
The camp turned out wonderful. We have three people saved and lots of miraculous healings and deliverance among the people. They were so hungry for God and their faith is so simple. Seeing their child like faith, I give thanks to God for it is for these people that we are called into the ministry.
When the leaders shared with us, they too experiencing lots of conflict in the church and this dear couple also have thoughts of leaving the ministry to go somewhere else. The leaders, though they no longer young, they love the people with their whole hearts. They were not even in full time ministry, yet they poured out their all for the people. I could see that they genuinely love the people as their own. We encouraged them, stating that their problem is not new at all because we are facing the same problem. We too, thought of giving up many times especially in recent weeks, but the Holy Spirit has been convicting our hearts not to do so.
And this is what happen all over the churches. Satan is not persecuting the church with the outside force, rather he is using the internal matters; those that come dear to our heart to smash the confidence among the pastors, to stop us from being effective. I saw this strategy occurring to churches disregard of their sizes in their congregation. Church people are getting “smarter” and they thought that they could run the pastor as well as the church.
Like Pastor Daniel said, “It is not a matter as to who run the church, it is a matter as to who is CALLED.” People in the church began to take the calling of God likely especially in the pastoral ministries. This is exactly what Satan wants to see. In no time, the church pastors, being discouraged and hurt, will leave the ministry and it is not surprising that the churches will suffer like an orphan without the shepherd. Or, the church will be left with so much of hurts that they have no time for evangelism or mission.
Yet, I thank God for pastors who persevere, who do not take the calling of God likely. They knew this is where God wants them to be and they are yet to give up (thought thoughts as such is not uncommon). They are made up of tough material, specially chosen by God to shepherd his people. God will strengthen their feeble legs and will raise them up again to finish the race, a VICTOR. Amen!
We arrived at Kuching on the 13 Nov, Thursday. The night before, I had a nightmare that the 10th anniversary program did not turn out well. I was all cold sweat and fear but I quickly prayed and asked God for assurance and I thank God for His faithfulness. I knew, at that point that God is in control and I am only one of His servants to make it happen in so that all glory to Him.
Then when we arrived in Kuching both Daniel and myself were dead tired and were feeling really exhausted. I guess it is the happenings for the last few weeks that had drained us out of all our energy. Though now I recognized that these are all spiritual warfare but I was still sad over the incidences. The question: what has happened to our church leaders that they could raise such un-trustful questioning over us? Though the hurts is dimming but the impact is still bearing.
Nevertheless, we tried to sleep and take as much rest as possible before we start the camp the next day.
The camp turned out wonderful. We have three people saved and lots of miraculous healings and deliverance among the people. They were so hungry for God and their faith is so simple. Seeing their child like faith, I give thanks to God for it is for these people that we are called into the ministry.
When the leaders shared with us, they too experiencing lots of conflict in the church and this dear couple also have thoughts of leaving the ministry to go somewhere else. The leaders, though they no longer young, they love the people with their whole hearts. They were not even in full time ministry, yet they poured out their all for the people. I could see that they genuinely love the people as their own. We encouraged them, stating that their problem is not new at all because we are facing the same problem. We too, thought of giving up many times especially in recent weeks, but the Holy Spirit has been convicting our hearts not to do so.
And this is what happen all over the churches. Satan is not persecuting the church with the outside force, rather he is using the internal matters; those that come dear to our heart to smash the confidence among the pastors, to stop us from being effective. I saw this strategy occurring to churches disregard of their sizes in their congregation. Church people are getting “smarter” and they thought that they could run the pastor as well as the church.
Like Pastor Daniel said, “It is not a matter as to who run the church, it is a matter as to who is CALLED.” People in the church began to take the calling of God likely especially in the pastoral ministries. This is exactly what Satan wants to see. In no time, the church pastors, being discouraged and hurt, will leave the ministry and it is not surprising that the churches will suffer like an orphan without the shepherd. Or, the church will be left with so much of hurts that they have no time for evangelism or mission.
Yet, I thank God for pastors who persevere, who do not take the calling of God likely. They knew this is where God wants them to be and they are yet to give up (thought thoughts as such is not uncommon). They are made up of tough material, specially chosen by God to shepherd his people. God will strengthen their feeble legs and will raise them up again to finish the race, a VICTOR. Amen!
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