The Myth of the Last Straw by Susan Bozarth

“This is the last straw!” We’ve all probably said it, or at least thought it. I’ve had times when my metaphorical cart of straws had reached a tipping point…just one more straw and it’s over.

Paul surely must have felt that as he was facing his last straw more than once as he cried out in 2 Corinthians 12 regarding the one big, consistent, gnawing, straw in his life that just wouldn’t go away.

“Concerning this thing (speaking of Paul’s thorn) I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ …Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

It’s a Divine paradox! “When I’m weak, then I’m strong!”

What? It does not have to make sense to our human, puny, little, brains, it is a God mystery. It’s okay to acknowledge that we do not have understanding, but trust His mysteries; His provision unfolds in the midst of them.

The “last straw” event is a myth; it’s a hoax! There is no ‘last straw’ scenario for the believer. With each straw comes provision to carry it, run over it, or bury it!

We need to continue to SHOUT the Word of the Lord over our lives. “…when I am weak, then I am strong.”

“..be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 

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