The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:9, NKJV
The Scriptures suggest that God extends His grace to people and patiently waits for them to change. God desires that all of us examine ourselves carefully in the light of His Word and become sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction in areas that need to change. But eventually, if we don't recognize the problems and deal with them, all kinds of external circumstances can be used to bring to light the unresolved or carnal issues in our lives. If we really love God, He gives us the chance to respond voluntarily to the Spirit. But if we don't respond, He will often extract submission from us.
{ PRAYER STARTER }
Father, when I feel a thorn pricking at my spirit, help me to remember that the purpose is to allow me a chance to deal with Your conviction and to respond in submission to Your will.
The thorn in the flesh produces humility over time
in the lives of sincere yet immature
followers of Christ Jesus.
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