Ever had one of those annoying tags in the back of your shirt that causes extreme irritation on your neck? I have…and I had that problem this morning. When I arrived at work, my neck felt like it was being rubbed raw by this stupid tag. Since we had staff devotions first thing this morning, I had to wait thirty minutes before I could take care of this major irritant. As soon as that half-hour was up, I ran to my office. This “run” was more like a brisk walk such as when you have to use the bathroom really bad, but fear that going too fast might cause someone to stop you to ask, “where are you going so fast?” Upon arrival in my office, I scoured my desk drawer for the scissors. When I finally found them, I walked at a hurried pace (again, to avoid conversation) to the bathroom where I ripped my shirt off (unbuttoning it first, of course). In the back of my mind I was hoping that no one would walk into the bathroom to find me there with my shirt off. How would I explain that one? “I was a little hot and needed a little breather”…or, “Pastor has implemented a new dress code…didn’t you get the memo?” Anyhow, I found the stupid culprit and cut it right out of my shirt. I quickly slipped my shirt back on whispering a prayer of thanks for not being discovered shirtless in the bathroom and I headed back to my office. It felt so good to continue my day without something irritating me!

Oh, how I wish that all irritating circumstances were that easy to solve; however, usually there are one or two or even several things (or people) which irritate us. It may be a nagging temptation. It may be your boss, family member, or friend. It may be a weakness or health issue. It may be dissatisfaction with an area of your life. Whatever it is, it causes irritation in everyday life without much relief. The apostle Paul had one of these irritating circumstances and he called it his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Some speculate it was bad eyesight, but Scripture seems to indicate that it was a person whom he called a “messenger of Satan.” Those are pretty strong words. After pleading with God to remove this annoying person from him, Paul realized that God had allowed this trial to come into his life to keep him humble (2 Corinthians 12:8). Trials and temptations have a unique way of keeping us dependent on God. Although God never promises to remove all hardship, He does promise the strength to cope (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Have an irritating tag in the back of your shirt?