Paul’s thorn is a great example of how to trust God for strength. It reveals how God works through human weakness.
This is described in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 where Paul writes that he was given a thorn to keep him from being conceited,
“By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me” -2 Corinthians 13:7-8
There are varying ideas that speculate Paul’s thorn was a physical ailment, emotional struggle, or spiritual opposition. But it ailment doesn’t matter, as much as its purpose and God’s response to it.
The purpose of the thorn allowed Paul to remain humble and focus on God’s grace rather than his own accomplishments or visions. This shows us how God can use difficulties to shape our character and deepen our reliance on Him.
Paul’s response after he pleaded with God three times to remove the “thorn,” showed his honest vulnerability. Yet he didn’t become bitter when the thorn remained, he accepted God’s answer which molded his trust in God’s divine wisdom over personal comfort.
God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” This flipped Paul’s perspective -his weakness became a stage for God’s strength. He even boasted about his weaknesses knowing that they showcased Jesus’s power (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The outcome of Paul’s thorn didn’t hinder his purpose, it enhanced it. He continued his mission – preaching, writing, and enduring hardships because God’s grace sustained him. His letters in the Bible reflect a strength that goes beyond human capacity and has impacted many generations.
From Pity to Praise 