Xanthe Hancox

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’    2 Corinthians 12:7-9

We don't know what the apostle Paul's thorn in the flesh was, but it gave him serious, chronic problems. Paul says that he asked God three times to heal him. In biblical language, the number three may well mean that Paul prayed and prayed till he felt he could pray no more. At some point, Paul understood that this trial would be his for the rest of his life.

We do know that what Paul is talking about here is not sin. He is not talking about a kind of behavior or bad choices that we make. He is not saying, The power of Christ is perfected in my bad choices. Or: I will gladly boast of my bad choices.

Weaknesses here are not imperfect behaviors. They are circumstances and situations and experiences and wounds that make us look weak; things we would probably get rid of if we had the human strength. So where do they come from, then?

Just like it was with Job—God permits Satan to afflict his righteous servant, and turns the affliction for his good purposes.

Whether the thorn in your flesh is health problems, financial difficulties or family and relationship struggles, all these make daily life challenging. As pain and anger grow heavy within us, we feel ourselves sinking into a pit of despair and bitterness. We cry out to God for relief, for healing, for wellness. And when God says, “No,” we feel abandoned.

But with God's assurance, Paul came to a new understanding. After pouring out his heart to God, Paul learned that God was going to allow him to go on living with his “thorn” indefinitely. What would happen next? God led Paul to a deeper spirituality, a greater insight into life's meaning than he would have had without the thorn. Paul learned that grace is greater than healing, greater than relief, greater than getting what he wanted.

God took Paul's weakness and used it to make him strong in the battle against sin and evil. God works that way today. His grace is still sufficient.

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes I feel as if you have abandoned me. Remind me that your grace is sufficient for me. Give me the assurance of your grace and strength. In your name, Amen.