In this episode, I want to share a recent talk at Regent University on the concept of 'thorns' in our lives, drawing parallels with historical figures like Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, who faced personal struggles despite their public successes. I used Apostle Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' as a metaphor for our own struggles to convey how our challenges serve a purpose in keeping us humble, more human, and reliant on God's grace via the process of homeostatis. The talk culminates in a call to recognize our struggles as part of God's larger narrative, and encourages listeners to tell their stories of faith and resilience.
Takeaways
Thorns in our lives serve a purpose.
Struggles can keep us humble and grounded.
God's grace is sufficient in our weakness.
Our challenges are part of God's story.
We must recognize our unique role in God's mission.
Thorns reveal our unresolved trauma.
Suffering can lead to perseverance and hope.
God uses our struggles to showcase His power.
Personalizing God's story helps us understand our struggles.
Engaging with God's mission transforms our perspective.
You can read more about Missional Therapy below.
The Story Behind Our Struggles