Thorns

. . . Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!  Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:7-10,NASB)

Apostle Paul writes about a “thorn in the flesh” in his second letter to the church at Corinth.  Bible scholars don’t know for sure what the “thorn” was, but Paul explains why he got it:  To keep him humble. 

Earlier in the same chapter,  Paul explains that some time ago he’d been caught up to heaven.  During this trip to “Paradise [he] heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.”  He writes that he does not want to boast about himself, “so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”  Not everyone gets to go to heaven, and it’s certainly a rarity for someone to get to do it while still alive.  It’s rare enough that such a traveler would be tempted to boast.  But Paul writes that he would rather boast in his weaknesses.  HUH? 

To keep him from exalting himself, Paul received “a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me.”  He writes that he asked the Lord to remove it, but Jesus replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Paul writes that he would prefer to boast in his weaknesses “so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  He says he’s content with weaknesses and other negative things in his life, “for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

“Thorn in the Flesh.”  Found at Church Leaders, https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/265914-rethinking-pauls-thorn-in-the-flesh.html

The thorn in Paul’s flesh is interesting to me.  It teaches me that God doesn’t heal everyone.  God uses our situations for His purposes and for His glory.  I don’t know why He doesn’t heal my ALS.  He does.  As I wait for healing, it’s up to me to love God, and love other people.  Like Paul, I’ve asked God to remove the thorn in my flesh.  Like Paul, God has denied my request.  Perhaps the reason God rejected Paul’s plea was to teach us this lesson, and to teach us about strength through weakness. 

I identify with Paul about weakness.  I think today I’m physically as weak as ever, but tomorrow I’ll be even more so.  It’s the nature of my disease.  Before my diagnosis, my body was growing weaker.  I thought I needed to be more consistent going to the gym!  But it’s the gradual deterioration associated with ALS.  But Jesus told Paul that His grace is enough; that “power is perfected in weakness.”  Paul concludes this portion when he writes, “when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 image.  Found at Living Bulwark, https://livingbulwark.net/a-thorn-in-the-flesh/

An Air Force Academy classmate, and one of my best friends, has consistently told me since my diagnosis, “Be strong!”  Very encouraging!  But more encouraging to me is knowing that Jesus’ power is perfected in my weakness.  And like Paul, I can say, “When I am weak, then I am strong!”

God, please give me the strength I need to do what You want me to do today.  I pray that everything I do will be acceptable in Your sight, would be a soothing aroma to You, and would be to Your glory.  When I am weak, then I am strong.  In Jesus’ name, Who perfects the power in my weakness, Amen. 

Worship:  “Your Grace is Enough,” by Matt Maher

130 Replies to “Thorns”

  1. Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for newbie blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  2. I have not checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  3. Thank you for another magnificent article. Where else may just anybody get that type of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for such information.

  4. I was just searching for this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top web sites are full of garbage.

  5. I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours today, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It is beautiful worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the web might be a lot more useful than ever before.

  6. Let me just get straight to the point; I saw your blog and I think you would be a great fit for our company :-). We are currently paying upwards of $70/hour for English translators. We are looking for people who are reliable, hardworking, and willing to work long-term. English fluency is preferred, and I don’t think you should have any problems with this requirement. We are an online based company from North Carolina. Interested? Apply here: https://msha.ke/freedomwithtay

  7. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!

  8. Hey, honestly your site is coming along :-), but I had a question – it’s a bit slow. Have you thought about using a different host like propel? It’d help your visitors stick around longer = more profit long term anyway. There’s a decent review on it by this guy who uses gtmetrix to test different hosting providers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6s0ciJI4W4 and the whole video has a bunch of gold in it, worth checking out.

  9. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal site.

  10. Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.

  11. Picture this – 3 am in the morning, I had a line of fiends stretched around the corner of my block. It was in the freezing middle of January but they had camped out all night, jumping-ready to buy like there was a sale on Jordans. If you were 16 years old, in my shoes, you’d do anything to survive, right? I got good news though; I MADE IT OUT OF THE HOOD, with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection. I’m not special or lucky in any way. If I, as a convicted felon that used to scream “Free Harlem” around my block until my throat was sore, could find a way to generate a stable, consistent, reliable income online, ANYONE can! If you’re interested in legitimate, stress-free side hustles that can bring in $3,500/week, I set up a site you can use: https://incomecommunity.com

  12. Okay, this might be a little bit random, but I saw your blog and had to ask, are you interested in a translation job? I know I’m a stranger but I felt like doing a good deed today by alerting a couple people that a good position has opened up here: https://bit.ly/TranslationJobsHiring and they pay sometimes even $40/hour. Okay, they won’t always give that amount, I only made around $300 last week, but it’s part time and when times are tight, every little bit helps. Hope it helps, and my apologies if you’re not interested. Have a great day/evening!

  13. What i don’t realize is in truth how you are not actually a lot more smartly-appreciated than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You understand therefore significantly with regards to this topic, produced me in my view consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!

  14. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  15. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this?K IE still is the marketplace chief and a large element of other folks will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.

  16. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in web explorer, might test thisK IE nonetheless is the market chief and a big element of people will omit your excellent writing due to this problem.

  17. Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and simply couldn’t come across. What a great web site.

  18. It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  19. I like the helpful information you supply for your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here regularly. I am moderately certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  20. We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome site!

  21. Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  22. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  23. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  24. Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.

  25. Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic blog!

  26. As I web-site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.

  27. Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I am satisfied to search out so many helpful info here in the put up, we need develop more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  28. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such excellent info being shared freely out there.

  29. It?¦s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  30. hi!,I like your writing very a lot! share we be in contact extra approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist in this area to solve my problem. May be that is you! Having a look forward to see you.

  31. The heart of your writing while sounding agreeable at first, did not really work properly with me after some time. Someplace throughout the paragraphs you actually were able to make me a believer unfortunately just for a very short while. I still have got a problem with your jumps in logic and one might do nicely to help fill in those gaps. When you can accomplish that, I will surely end up being amazed.

  32. Hello I am so grateful I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

  33. About Blue Tonic Weight Loss Drink Recipe:The Blue Tonic Weight Loss Drink Recipe is more than just a beverage; it’s a potent blend of carefully selected ingredients designed to support your weight loss journey.

  34. Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  35. Hi there, just become alert to your weblog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you happen to continue this in future. Many other people might be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  36. Needed to compose you the little word to help say thanks a lot again relating to the breathtaking tips you have featured in this article. This is simply surprisingly generous with people like you to offer extensively all that many of us might have made available for an ebook to generate some cash on their own, chiefly given that you could possibly have tried it if you ever wanted. These guidelines as well served like the great way to be aware that other people have the identical dream just like mine to see much more in regard to this condition. I am certain there are many more fun opportunities in the future for those who view your blog post.

  37. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  38. Thank you for every other wonderful post. Where else could anyone get that type of info in such an ideal approach of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such info.

  39. It¦s in point of fact a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  40. Only wanna input on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the subject matter is very good. “The idea of God is the sole wrong for which I cannot forgive mankind.” by Marquis de Sade.

  41. This design is steller! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  42. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! “Dreams are real while they last. Can we say more of life” by Henry Havelock Ellis.

  43. I precisely had to thank you so much once more. I’m not certain the things I would have made to happen without the type of ideas contributed by you on this concern. It became an absolute scary difficulty in my position, however , understanding the specialised fashion you processed the issue made me to leap over delight. Extremely thankful for your guidance and thus believe you are aware of a powerful job that you’re doing training most people through the use of your webblog. I am sure you’ve never come across any of us.

  44. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It¦s beautiful value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the web will probably be much more helpful than ever before.

  45. I discovered your weblog web site on google and verify just a few of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the superb operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Searching for forward to reading more from you afterward!…

  46. Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Magnificent. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.

  47. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100 certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

  48. This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  49. Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

  50. Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  51. magnificent points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

  52. I?¦ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i am happy to show that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I so much no doubt will make certain to don?¦t put out of your mind this website and give it a glance on a continuing basis.

  53. I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

  54. What i don’t realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always maintain it up!

  55. With everything which seems to be developing within this particular subject material, a significant percentage of opinions tend to be very stimulating. Even so, I am sorry, but I do not subscribe to your entire suggestion, all be it refreshing none the less. It appears to us that your remarks are generally not completely validated and in fact you are generally your self not really totally certain of the argument. In any event I did enjoy reading through it.

  56. Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff prior to and you’re just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve obtained right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the best way by which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read far more from you. That is really a great website.

  57. There are some fascinating closing dates on this article but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as properly

  58. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog readers have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?

  59. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!

  60. Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this subject for a while and yours is the best I have came upon so far. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?

  61. I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *