“Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.” 2 Corinthians 12:7

Dear Father, You know what I need. You know what is good for my soul. You know what is good in my life so that I will spend my eternity with you. You also know what other people need for their faith and for their eternity. You know how my life and their lives interact. I don’t. I pray, work in my heart and life like you did for Paul. You gave him a thorn in flesh so that he would stay humble, so that he would lean on you, so that he would depend on your strength. You gave him exactly what he needed for his salvation and his faith. I pray, dear Father, do the same in my life. Do whatever it takes in my life so that I stay true to you and to your Word my whole life. Do whatever it takes in my life so that I might be an instrument of your mercy and grace. You alone know what is good for me and for others. And when your work is unpleasant and even painful give me your Holy Spirit so that I remember and trust your loving and saving purposes. Help me to see what you are doing and to find strength in you. Amen.

I do not always understand what God is doing or why. But I do know that his “so that” for my life is for my good and my salvation. His purposes are always saving.