Poison Oak
I never considered itching to be worse than pain… until now.
I have poison oak on my arms and the itching is at an all time high, setting records for my endurance abilities. I even said the words this morning, “I would rather have pain over this itching. I can ignore pain, the itching is driving me batty!”
Forget water-boarding, fear, intimidation, or pain… interrogators should use itching to get people to talk. Man, I would have been singing like a canary about the second day into this ordeal.
Yet, in the midst of this, I actually thanked Jesus for this infection this morning in prayer. The crazy words were coming out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying, and then I thought… well, that is what we are supposed to do, right? Isn’t this what is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18?
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…
Ok, I am not quite there on the “be joyful always” part with this poison oak, but this giving thanks in all circumstances came out of nowhere in my prayer. I know we are told to be thankful and I know I am supposed to be thankful, but that does not mean I have it all together on this one, folks. Knowing something and applying that knowledge are at opposite ends of the universe in some cases.
Perhaps what I am experiencing is what I have referred to a few times over the past few weeks about the grace of God being revealed in our weakness. Scripture tells us in Romans 8:26 the Holy Spirit guides us in prayer when we are weak.
…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…
I know I certainly did not plan to be thankful for the poison oak this morning, but the words were spoken in prayer… seems like the Spirit was at work while I was being distracted in my prayer by the itching. Paul shares about a thorn in his side keeping him from getting conceited about God’s revelations, and then states in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Instead of thorns, I have poison oak…
What is itching you right now? What is causing you torment in your day? As hard as it might be, perhaps being thankful for your torment will put it in a different perspective and you will be able to see God in the midst of your struggle.
Contact me if you need help being thankful for your itching distractions… I will be glad to pray with you, and please allow me to ask you for your prayers right now for this stupid itching.
Glenn Sasscer
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July 22nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
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