He had felt the pain from that metaphorical thorn for a long time.

He prayed earnestly 3 times.

Each time, pleading for God to take this trial or affliction away. ⁣

But God didn’t take the pain away.

Instead, the Lord responded:

“My grace is sufficient for thee.”⁣

And Paul really, truly believed it.

Gods grace was sufficient for Paul’s thorn.

This makes me think about my own thorns.

The little small ones, and the really big and dramatic ones.

Do I actually believe what God says?

Do I believe that God’s grace is sufficient for ME?

Often, in this church, we talk about “getting through” a difficult time or talk about what we might learn after a trial. ⁣

But what about the trials that don’t end?⁣

Is there any hope?⁣

Look what Paul said in response to the Lord’s consolation that His grace is sufficient:

“My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Paul said that he will GLADLY GLORY in his infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon him. ⁣

How do we find that joy when we know that our trials will not end in this life?

How can we possibly be okay with that?⁣

How do we endure health challenges, life circumstances, results of our choices or of others, that will be a thorn in our side for a really, really long time?

“My grace is sufficient for thee.”⁣

We learn more about Jesus and grace. ⁣

We learn that we have the strength, through Christ, to still be a good person and do what is right on top of dealing with those challenges. ⁣

We learn that our Lord gives us grace EVERY SINGLE time we need extra help.

Not just the first or second time. Every time. ⁣

Our trials, though excruciating and painful, teach us what it truly means to rely on our Savior.

Because we don’t have to do it alone.

We get to be filled with HIS strength.

The thorn in our side may remain, but the sting can be taken away by the one who perfectly knows how the thorn feels.

Happy Studying!

Cali Black

The post The thorn in my side  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

When my nonmember friends would ask me about movies I watched,

the language I used,

or clothes I wore,

it seemed like I was always reciting endless lists of rules I had to follow.

And there have been other times, when things have been swirling, that this Church has seemed really complicated.

But as I’ve matured in spiritual understanding, I’ve discovered that the gospel is actually pretty simple.

It’s all about Jesus.

No, really!

When I focus on Jesus, all the “extra” things seem much more simple, too.

I naturally adjust my language, media use, and attitude to become more Christlike.

Paul taught:

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

He’s warning that the adversary wants us to make things more complicated than they really are.

It’s one of his most powerful tactics.

Distraction from simplicity.

Sure, membership in this church may look complicated from the outside looking in.

And when I focus on the little elements of tithing, Sabbath day observance, temple attendance, serving in callings…

I can get caught up in the long to-do list, too.

But I have found so much peace when I focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ.”

He is the goal.

He is the way.

And everything else just helps us get to Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post It’s all simple first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

This was a few years ago when it was just my husband, our 1-year-old daughter, and me.

It was a meeting with a member of the stake presidency where we knew my husband would be extended a calling.

Gulp.

We had lots of fun speculating what the calling could possibly be.

But while we were speculating, I suddenly had a thought clearly come to my mind:

“This calling will take a lot of time.

“You need to learn to not resent him for leaving you with your daughter more often.” ⁣

It was a very clear thought. ⁣

I think my husband and I are a fantastic team usually.

We’ve always been very clear that we are both equal partners when we are home.

We take turns making dinner, we care for our kids, we do household chores.

Things honestly have felt pretty “fair”. ⁣

But I felt the Spirit preparing me that things might not be “fair” for a while.

And that I needed to be okay with that.

In fact, I needed to find JOY in my counterpart offering of service to his service. ⁣

Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians stopped me in my tracks — because I have lived this.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Since that day 4 years ago when my husband was called as a counselor in the bishopric, and then continuing to his call as a bishop, my heart has slowly changed.

I’ve had to take on extra responsibilities and get comfortable doing things by myself.

But am I giving my service grudgingly?

I honestly try not to.

(I mean, it still happens, but then I try to give myself grace and press forward.)

Sometimes, I just try to serve out of “necessity”.

It’s pretty neutral— I’m just doing what needs to get done.

But my goal is to be a cheerful giver!

Not to put on a fake smile and act like everything is okay.

But to truly be cheerful to be able to serve in the way I’m asked to right now.

To find joy in taking on different responsibilities. ⁣

To be happy to develop my weaknesses into strengths. ⁣

It’s been a process.

But it’s been easier and easier to catch when I’m feeling “grudgingly” or resentful and willingly focus on my Savior instead.

And truly, honestly, when I think about Jesus, my heart becomes a lot more willing and joyful.

I’m taking steps to become a more cheerful giver of my time and energy.

And hopefully, someday, my selfish weaknesses can become a strength, all thanks to my Savior.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post A cheerful giver first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

At first, the home seemed perfect.

I felt so abundant and grateful to own a home and live in it!

But then… I wanted the walls painted.

When they got painted, I felt abundant again!

Everything was all good.

But then… we wanted to do our backyard.

When our yard was finished, I felt overwhelmingly abundant and wanted to throw all the parties!

The cycle has continued on and on.

I think we go through similar cycles in almost every area of our lives.

Paul acknowledged this, too:

“But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.” (2 Corinthians 8:14)

Isn’t that such a cool balance that we’ve been asked to help with?

Whether in our wards,

our neighborhoods,

or the walls of our own homes,

We can help use our abundance to fill others’ wants.

And we can have our wants assisted by other people’s abundance.

We will always have wants.

Sometimes it’s emotional needs like good friendships and authentic connection.

Other times it’s spiritual needs like a testimony or a desire to read the scriptures.

And other times it is literally physical and temporal needs.

We can find a sweet equality when other people have an abundance to share with us.

It works both ways.

What do you feel like you currently are “abundant” with?

How can you find someone with a “want” to share with?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Abundance and wants first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.