Thorn/Weakness…

Ever wonder what Paul meant when he said he had a thorn in his flesh?

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV. 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of theses surprisingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 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 weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

A couple things are mentioned explaining the thorn in Paul’s flesh…

1. To keep him from becoming conceited.

2. God’s grace was sufficient for him.

3. God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

4. Delighting in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties was the least Paul could do for Jesus.

5. For when Paul is weak, he is strong.

There are quite a few takeaways from this part in Corinthians, strength comes from the Lord and when we are able to give credit where it is due Christ’s power rises up within us and we can go on because the Lord’s power is made perfect in weakness.

When we are weak, we humble ourselves more deeply to the Lord and He carries us through to overcome the challenge we face.

The thorn in Paul’s side was to keep him from becoming conceited and I think also to keep him from thinking it was his own power that kept carrying him through. When he was a persecutor of God’s people he was in his own free-will of power and strength and it was completely wrong. But when Jesus met him on the road that day he was a changed man a new creation and he could only function in the abilities God allowed him, placing the thorn in his side and him realizing the wrong he had done and knowing God was Almighty and all Powerful Paul’s weakness became strength because he offered himself as a complete open vessel for the Lord to use him to bless His people and to make a away for his life that was the right choice and decision for Paul gained Jesus-Power by obeying the High and Only King.

What thorn is in your side? I believe it is the ‘one big thing’ that holds you back…

Example: When do you have to fully depend on the Lord?

Singing in front of others, talking to a stranger about the Lord, speaking either in a small crowd or a big crowd, blogging your thoughts and sharing them with everyone, in one way or another stepping out of your comfort zone in any way, shape, or form is a chance for you to fully have to depend on God to help you through.

Even in Paul’s case you’d think he wouldn’t be timid going up to someone and sharing God’s Word but after what he had done, it’s the only way he’d do right by God by allowing Holy Spirit total access when he spoke the Gospel, this was the complete opposite of what Paul knew – so he gained strength in his weakness.

Whenever we are faced with a roadblock and have to take a complete detour out of our comfort zones and into a weak territory, allow God to navigate the waters for you, you will succeed in your weakness because where we are weak God is our strength that powers us up and when we are powered up the Holy Spirit knows perfectly what to do.

Heavenly Father I thank You for the thorn in my flesh because I know where my strength comes from and You Lord are the only ‘One’ I want to gain strength from. Thank You for helping me put words to paper and allowing me to gain confidence in sharing my thoughts to others, Your Power rises up in me because I depend on You and my weakness is Your strength and ability to move forward not my Will but Yours. I pray Lord others will realize where they are facing a detour that they’ll obey Your Will and find Your Power in their weakness so You’ll be glorified and strength will rise up in Your people because they depend on You. Thank You for Jesus-Power in Jesus name, Amen.