A Thorn in my Flesh

 

II Corinthians 12:5-10

 

As my husband and I hiked on a muddy jungle trail, I stepped on a log to cross a small stream. My foot went through the rotten wood and I slipped. As I fell, my left hand landed on some spiny plants. "Ouch!" I rinsed the mud off of my hand and found some small thorns in my palm. As we continued our walk through the deep overgrowth, the pain in my hand became worse. By the time we were out of the jungle, my left palm and thumb were swollen, red, and throbbing. Although several small spines were embedded in my hand, only one had caused any pain or swelling. It must have been from a poisonous plant. Both my husband and I tried to remove the thorn, but it was too deep. We went out to eat at a restaurant with our family and some friends, but the pain from the thorn kept me from enjoying the meal and fellowship. I finally borrowed my husband's pocketknife and dug the thorn out, so that I could use my hand.

The apostle Paul had something in his life that he called "a thorn in my flesh". I don't know if it was a physical problem or another circumstance in his life. Since he called it a thorn, I believe that it was constantly present and caused him pain. It wasn't as easy to remove as my thorn. Three times, he asked God to remove it, but God said no. Why would God refuse to remove something that limited Paul's ability to serve? God left this "thorn" in Paul's life so that Paul would not boast. When God worked through Paul's weakness, it glorified God. Would I have chosen to leave that thorn in my hand if it would have brought glory to God? I don't know. It hurt!

Have you ever wondered why God would use you? "God would not use me because______." Fill in the blank with your "thorn in the flesh". Whatever weakness or struggle you have in your life, God can work through you. He doesn't use us because of what we can do, but because of what His power can do through us!

 

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, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  II Corinthians 12:9

 

Lord, I know that I am weak and that I fall. Use me to glorify You in spite of my weaknesses. Amen.

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Copyright ©2007 Donna L. Maust

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