Healed of My Thorn

I struggled with depression and self-harm for 28 years. The intensity of this would ebb and flow in my life, but it was something that I learned to live with. I accepted it as the “thorn in my side.” This year that changed.

I was at a worship service in January 2023. As they were singing and praying through the song Sound Mind, breaking chains of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. As I was worshipping alone, it was as if I saw heavy chains covering me, holding me down. Yet, in a moment, the chains disintegrated. 

How do I know I was really healed? I was hesitant to share about this right away. It’s not as if I couldn’t walk or see or hear and now I could, with some immediate demonstration of healing. But, days turned into weeks turned into months. I was different and there was no denying it.

I wasn’t asking Jesus to heal me. Like Paul, I accepted this thorn in my mind. I don’t have an answer as to why some thorns stay with us throughout our lives or why God chose to heal me that day. I do know there are other thorns I carry with me, but like Paul, I choose to say, “So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties for the sake of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 12:10a, CSB

Dear God, thank you for your healing touch this time in my life. I pray that as I face future thorns, I would remember your grace is sufficient to lovingly carry me through. This is not for my glory but for yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen