Why I’m Glad We Don’t Know What the “Thorn” in Paul’s Side Was
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When we are feeling isolated in our temptations, we can remember the thorn of Paul. Christ can even use us in our weaknesses and draw us closer to Himself in the trials.
After all that Joseph in the Bible had been through with the betrayal of his brothers who sold him into slavery (which led to many more hardships), in Genesis 50:20 we see his response to them many years later, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph was able to see past the temporary struggles and look to His Lord. What was intended for evil, God used for good and His purposes.
We too have been given this promise in Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What the enemy desires to destroy us, crush us, and pull us away from God with, can be the very thing that draws us closer to Him. We, like Paul, can cry out on behalf of our thorn and pray for Him to remove it. However, we can also be at peace if that answer is not yet.
The thorn might remain this side of heaven, but we can be confident that it does not have to be wasted for the sake of the kingdom of the Lord, and He can empower us in the weak places.
What is your thorn? What have you had a constant battle with in your life? What have you begged God to remove that has not gone away? How can you rest today in the joy and peace of knowing that in your weakness, the Lord has promised His power and that He is using this challenge to humble you and draw you closer to Himself?
When we think about one of the most beautiful of all flowers, we think about the rose. Roses have thorns to protect them from predators who would otherwise eat the pretty plants. What if instead of focusing on our thorns, we focused more on the beautiful ways that God is growing us and trusting that He might even be using the thorns to protect us from our prideful selves? We can thank Him for not wasting the thorns in our stories. His grace is sufficient.
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