My beautiful Tewahedo Orthodox sister, how many times have you prayed for God to take away the pain you are carrying? How many times have you asked, “Lord, why am I going through this? Why haven’t You taken this suffering away?”
We often think that if God is with us, our struggles should disappear. But Scripture teaches us something deeper: sometimes God does not immediately remove the thorn—He gives us the grace and strength to endure it.
Look at St. Paul the Apostle.
St. Paul spoke about a “thorn in the flesh” that troubled him. Three times he pleaded with the Lord for it to be taken away. Yet God’s answer was not to remove the suffering, but to remind him:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 —
St. Paul did not allow his suffering to convince him that God had abandoned him.
Instead, he drew closer to Christ.
His weakness became an opportunity to experience God’s strength. His suffering became an opportunity for deeper faith, humility, perseverance, and complete dependence upon God.
And the same can be true for us.
Your suffering does not mean God has forgotten you.
Your tears do not mean God is far away.
Your unanswered prayer does not mean God is not listening.
Sometimes the very place where we feel weakest can become the place where we encounter God most deeply.
Christ our Lord Himself walked the path of suffering and carried the Holy Cross for our salvation. He knows our sorrow, our weakness, our tears, and the cries of our hearts. He did not remain distant from human suffering—He entered into it and conquered death through His Cross and Resurrection.
So when the burden feels too heavy, do not run away from God.
Run toward Him.
Pray.
Read the Holy Scriptures.
Make the sign of the Cross.
Seek repentance.
Attend the Divine Liturgy.
Receive the Holy Communion.
Ask the intercession of the saints.
And when you cannot understand why God has allowed something, place your trust in Him anyway.
You may be praying, “Lord, remove this thorn.”
But perhaps God is also working within you, saying:
“My child, My grace is sufficient for you.”
Do not let your pain separate you from Christ.
Let it drive you closer to Him.
The thorn may remain for a season, but God’s grace remains with you.
And remember: the Cross was not the end of Christ’s story.
The Resurrection was.
May God strengthen everyone who is carrying a hidden burden today. May He give you patience in suffering, peace in the midst of trials, and hope in His promises.
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:10 —
May the Lord strengthen us and keep us close to Him.
Selam Seyoum