. . . 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.