The same thing—the same weakness, wound, trigger—that the enemy uses to try to taunt you with, the LORD uses to refine, strengthen and draw you into His fullness with.

Here’s the question:

What will you look at when this thing comes up?

Regardless of what it is—a health issue, again;
  —another unexpected bill;
  —the pattern of things not working out;
                                      —people overlooking, devaluing, or misunderstanding you;
—that deferred dream…

When that familiar “thorn in your flesh” comes up, again, what will you do with it?

You have a choice.

· If you focus on it…

· If you engage with the unfairness of it…

· If you compare it to others…

·      If you let it hook you…
  you will be on the enemy’s turf,
     because he wants this thing to consume and define you.

So what can you do in this place?

Ah, here is the crux.

~ It’s not what you look at …it’s Who.

When this thing comes up and—instead of looking at it—you look to Him.

“… and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
     looking unto Jesus,
   the author and finisher of our faith,
     who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…
     has sat down [victorious] at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1b-2

What would happen if we looked unto Jesus when we faced something difficult?

We would overcome!

Why?

Because He overcame.

And when we look to Him—the All-Powerful, Victorious One, who reigns over everything—we begin to see from His perspective.

…which ALWAYS overcomes!

And, when we look upon Him, we see His beauty.

…and nothing compares to His beauty.
(Ask Him about the power and impact of HIS beauty).