Thorn in the Flesh
Thorn in the flesh is a phrase of New Testament origin used to describe an annoyance, or trouble in one's life. Paul the Apostle's used this word in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians 12:7–9 Good News Bible
"But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw, I was given a painful physical ailment, which acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me."
A “thorn in the flesh” is something given to us by God to keep us from becoming conceited or prideful. It can feel uncomfortable, like torment, or a form of torture, but God does not torture His children. He helps us! His help can come in the form of discipline and trials, but His purpose is always to strengthen us and conform us into the image of Christ. “We are given thorns that significantly weaken us in order to make us stronger"
Whatever “thorn” God has allowed in your life, allow God to use it. He may not deliver you immediately, but that is only because He loves you too much to remove the circumstances that will make grow you spiritually. You are to lean on His grace. Ask Him to help you to see it. If you’re focused on it, you will begin to see His grace everywhere, in the big and small details of life. James 1:17 says that “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” Start noticing all the God-given gifts, all the signs that He loves you, and you will find that His grace truly is sufficient.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive us of the many times where we have asked You to remove the thorns in our lives because we thought we did not deserve them or we were too conceited to understand why we should have the thorns in the first place, time and time again we have be placed too much value on ourselves, what vanity way to live! Today we are turning our eyes upon Jesus Christ who is our only Messiah and Saviour. As we look into His wonderful face, all things which we now know to be thorns in our lives no longer matter, they are growing dim in the light of His Glory and Grace, we pray believing knowing it is already done. We give you all praise, honor and glory as they belong to You Lord, now and forever more, Amen!
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