Have you heard of Paul's thorn in the flesh? If not, here is the passage from 2 Corinthians 12:
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given 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.
No one knows what Paul's thorn in the flesh was, and theologians have often speculated on what it could've been. A vice? A physical ailment? No one knows, and I don't believe we need to know for this passage to be pertinent to our lives today.
During this season of my life where I am struggling so mightily against food and for weight loss/healthy eating habits, the "thorn in the flesh" resonates with me particularly. The lure of food seems to be my thorn in the flesh, the thing that I wish more than anything the Lord would just remove. If he would just step in and fix me, I would live a happier, healthier life. Problem solved.
This week I was bemoaning my own thorn in the flesh when it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps I am not the only one who feels a connection to Paul in this passage. I bet many people feel like they have a thorn in the flesh; a problem or a temptation that haunts them. I'm not alone in this.
Are you struggling? Maybe with health issues or money issues or job issues or sin issues? If you are, first let me say, I understand the struggle. But we should take hope in the words of Paul that follow his admission of his struggle:
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 weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
It's hard to believe that we should delight in our own imperfections. I want to believe it, I really do, but even as a professing Christian it is hard to accept the words in this passage. It's just the opposite of what comes natural, I guess. What do you think? Do you boast about your weaknesses? If you know the feeling of the thorn in the flesh, does the rest of this passage give you some peace? We are not perfect, only Jesus was.
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ReplyDeleteThe part I return to in those words is "My grace is sufficient." I have to constantly remind myself in many aspects of my life that it's God's grace that allows me to do what I do.
ReplyDeleteIt can be comforting in times of weakness and trouble, as I must remember not to wallow in my self-pity or continue to whine (which I am an expert at).
This section can also be humbling. All the good things I think I do, or try to take credit for, I must also remember that's God grace too: providing me with the energy, talent, opportunity, fortitude, etc to accomplish what I have and what I do well. My part is to say "Here I am" and then give voice to Who enables me.
Because of course, when I am weak I am strong. But, when I am strong, God's stronger.
Amen?