Removing A Splinter

I walked downstairs, following the sounds of my screaming and crying five year old, and saw her laying on the floor, my husband sitting cross legged in front of her, her feet in his lap, and tweezers in my husband's hand.  Jocelyn had gotten a splinter in her foot and Daddy was vainly attempting to pull it out.  Every time he would grab her toe to brace her foot, she would yell out in pain, jerk her foot away, and roll around screaming about how bad it was going to hurt if he touched it.  After a while, my husband had had enough, scooted away from her and said, "Joci, you have to relax.  Do you trust me?   I will not be able to get this out of your foot unless you trust me but I am not going to force you to allow me to do it either.  The choice is yours.  If you want to get rid of this splinter that is causing you pain, trust me and push through, than I will be glad to remove it, but if you aren't ready, if you won't stop fighting me then the splinter will just have to stay where it is."

I have seen this scenario happen all too often in my own life between me and the Lord.  I'll come to Him, asking Him to help me get rid of the splinter in my foot, be it un-forgiveness, pride, bitterness, hurt, etc... only to fight like a mad dog in a muzzle when I see the surgical tools He plans on using to rid me of my affliction.  In my human eyes, the tools appear very sharp and hold the possibility of feeling more painful than the splinter stuck in my flesh  Then, just like my husband with our daughter, He looks at me with gentle eyes, puts down the utensils and waits patiently until I am ready, really ready.  He does not force His hand; He assures me that I can trust Him; and makes very known that it is my choice, but once I choose Him, that I will have the ability to walk pain free.

The truth is, God's refinement does hurt our flesh more than our affliction does at times but the end result is complete healing.  Once we surrender to His "surgical procedures" we don't have to walk around with a limp, open wound, or blurred eye sight any longer.  We are given freedom in all things; to receive blessings and pour them out; to receive love and give it unconditionally; and to share our story of healing, giving opportunity to others to trust in our Abba and His ability to heal.  Even better, He gives our affliction purpose.  He works it out for His good.  He gives us a testimony and recollection so that we can gain thankfulness and appreciate His love for us.

Our Daddy is a good and patient one.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.


Romans 5:3
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;