Temporary Testing

The apostle Paul had the unique experience of dying, going to Heaven, and coming back to talk about it. We don’t know exactly when that happened, but many assume that it was when crowds at Lystra stoned him and took him outside the city.

Paul wrote about this experience in 2 Corinthians 12, where he described being caught up into the third heaven and hearing things he couldn’t even put into words.

That would be a heavy matter for even the most seasoned believer. But Paul went on to say, “So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud” (verse 7 NLT).

The apostle continued, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (verse 10 NLT).

There are many opinions as to what Paul’s thorn was. Some believe it was a physical problem, such as poor eyesight. No doubt that could have come from the physical suffering he had endured. Or, maybe it was some other physical difficulty.

Others think that Paul’s “thorn in [his] flesh” might have been difficult people in his life who made him miserable.

Whatever it was, Paul essentially said three different times, “Lord, would You get this out of my life?” And God said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (verse 9 NLT). God will reveal Himself in unique and special ways through the valleys of life.

Most of us would like to avoid the valleys. But there are some lessons we learn in the valleys that we won’t learn anywhere else.

One is the lesson of compassion. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (verses 3–4 NLT).

When God has allowed hardship in our lives, it gives us the ability to comfort someone else who is going through something similar.

God can take our past and use it for His glory today.

It may be hard to believe now, but we don’t stay in the valleys forever. The Bible tells us, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold” (1 Peter 1:7 NLT).

Trials don’t last forever. David didn’t write, “Even when I crawl through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid.” Rather, he said, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid” (Psalm 23:4 NLT).

Keep moving. You’re going to get through it.

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