2 Corinthians 12:7-9: “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me 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.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
TL;DR: Struggling with a “thorn in your flesh”? Whether it’s sin, destructive thought patterns, or a personal challenge, remember that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Your weaknesses can reveal His power and lead to His greatest gifts.
Do you ever feel tormented by a thorn in your flesh—a persistent struggle, sin, or destructive thought pattern that just won’t go away? You pray for relief, only to find the challenge resurfacing over and over again.
I can relate. I’ve experienced thorns that feel unbearable at times. That’s why I find great comfort in Paul’s words about his thorn in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. Paul, too, faced a relentless struggle, one he begged God to remove. But instead of taking it away, God offered him something far greater: His grace and power made perfect in weakness.
This passage reminds us that our struggles have a purpose. We are weak, but He is strong. As the familiar hymn says, “Yes, Jesus loves me!” Even in our imperfection, God’s love sustains us. His grace is sufficient, and our weakness becomes the perfect canvas for His strength to shine through.
Some of the greatest gifts God has given me have come through my thorns. One of my most significant thorns is alcoholism. It forced me to confront my need for a Savior and to rely on His strength rather than my own. Without that thorn, I might not have humbled myself enough to let Jesus truly be my Lord.
Instead of fixating on our thorns, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Even if He never removes the thorn, we can trust that He will use it for good. His grace is sufficient, His strength is perfect, and His power rests on us in our weakness.
Today, I encourage you to embrace your thorns. Praise God for the ways He uses them to draw you closer to Him, deepen your reliance on His grace, and reveal His power in your life.
May His strength be made perfect in your weakness, and may His grace sustain you always!
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