The most common question people ask me is, "Why does God let these things happen to me?"
My answer is always the same, "Because this is not heaven."
As a result, every one of us will run into "difficulties" from time to time. There are no exceptions.
When we run into challenges, it isn't wrong to pray and ask the Lord to remove a thorn from our bodies or our lives; and it's not inappropriate to share with Him the frustrations, concerns, and worries we experience. In fact, we are instructed to do so - repeatedly.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.")
However, life is not an elementary school playground where safety is promoted and protected, and insults and hurts are addressed and corrected. Wouldn't it be nice if it were?
Yet, many people treat God as if he were simply a super-sized recess monitor. They report to Him through their prayers, "She's saying unkind things about me; he pushed me down; she pulled my hair; and he stole my lunch money."
If any of us expect all of our wrongs to be righted or problems and infirmities to be corrected -- we will be regularly disappointed. When we finally realize - for us to live is Christ, and to die is gain - then our lives will indeed become truly meaningful and much more enjoyable.
We are in these bodies and on this earth for such a short time in comparison to eternity. And we're going to have thorns in the flesh whether we like it or not.
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