Aesop tells a story about an escaped slave, Androcles, who comes across an injured lion in the forest. The lion is licking his paw and is obviously in much pain. Androcles approached cautiously and sees that the lion has a large thorn in his paw and is infected. He overcame his fear and removed the thorn from the lion’s paw and treated the wound until the lion recovered and Androcles would leave the cave and bring meat and other food for the lion to eat and regain his strength. After a period of time, both Androcles and the lion were captured and made to face each other in an arena. You’ll need to Google the story for the ending because for my purposes, the star of the story is the Thorn.

  Paul the Apostle wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7 about a “thorn in his flesh” that continually caused him distress and was a hindrance. Bible scholars have debated through the centuries about what this “thorn” actually was, but no one knows. All we know for sure it was something that concerned Paul and that he continually had to deal with the reality. And, he overcame it with his faith, his faith in God, and his dedication to continue telling the story of Jesus and His plan for all people.

  Now, for my reality which some of you may know, but I tell my story only as an encouragement for you to not give up when things are tough.  A couple years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It hit me hard and scared me because I had heard so many horror stories. Then, last fall, I began having severe pain in the muscles from my neck, shoulder, arms, hands, chest, hips, legs, and feet. Somedays the pain would be less and I could function fairly well as normal, but other days I could hardly grasp anything with my hands, write/type, play violin and keyboard, or anything involving flexibility. My balance was off and I fell at times.

 Finally, I was diagnosed with Poly Myalgia Rheumatica (PMR) … an auto-immune disease which affected the muscles instead of the joints. During the testing period and much blood-letting, I was also found to have low markers of Lupus, another auto-immune disease. My energy level was nil and all I wanted to do was sleep. And I did a lot. It was also difficult to drive for long periods of time without pain and my hands gripping like a claw that I had to manipulate open. During the same period, I was diagnosed with PTSD from working in some severely emotionally abusive work places.

  Like the lion in the story of Androcles, I withdrew for a season and licked my wounds, knowing that I had no further abilities to use for God. I could not type, write, or even formulate words for a column. I could not easily serve as church pianist due to the inflexibility and the pain in my hands I knew would happen on Sunday afternoon. I was very discouraged.

  But … and there is always a but … I was reminded by God and close family and friends, that God had not forsaken me. He still had a plan and purpose for me and if these “thorns in my flesh” could be defeated, I could do it with God’s help. I had a series of good Christian physicians that worked with me and adjusted medications to worked together to improve my health (see Romans 8:28 for keyword “together”). I became more diligent about my diabetic diet and medicine and my numbers are coming down. The medicine for the PMR has worked thus far and I’m able to live without the pain of a couple months ago … hence, I am not typing columns each week for The Henry County Times. I am playing all over the piano keyboard on Sundays without pain and feeling true worship again.

  Now, there’s more of my story to tell, but the main thing I would like you to remember is that no matter what medical or emotional problems you may live with, God is with you. I can guarantee you because He has been with me all the way and has strengthened me and given me joy on the worst days and on the best days. And He will do it for you, whatever your “thorn” may be. Just trust and ask Him for help.   And for today my friends, this has been a very transparent gospel according to Jimmy.