The phrase “thorn in the flesh” is taken from the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, he writes about a “thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” Scholars and theologians have interpreted this metaphor in various ways. Some suggest it was a physical ailment, while others believe it was an emotional or spiritual trial. Regardless of its exact nature, Paul’s thorn in the flesh represents a persistent struggle or hardship that he had to endure.
This metaphor extends to our lives as well. A “thorn in the flesh” can be any ongoing challenge that causes us distress or suffering – be it physical pain, emotional turmoil, spiritual doubts, or relational conflicts. It’s something that persistently troubles us, despite our efforts to resolve or overcome it.
How to deal with a thorn in the flesh
Not knowing what God intends toward us yet, it’s very important to NOT let the thorn take us away from our walk with the Lord… our “abiding in Christ”, if you will. If we were already apart from him, then let that be the first and obvious guess as to the reason for the thorn. Revisit Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel of the Lord in Genesis 32 if you wonder about that.
If that’s not the case and your walk with the Lord continues , then good! Endure the pain quietly and thank God for whatever (or whomever) it is that’s causing it. Thanking God for pain or adverse circumstances may not be intuitive to you yet, but if not, then practice until it is intuitive. “In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you” (1Thessalonians 5.18). That verse doesn’t say in every GOOD thing.. it says in every thing. It also isn’t optional for some Christians. It’s a command directed toward all of us.
Thorn in the flesh for Character
Romans 5:3-4 teaches us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Our struggles, while challenging, can also be opportunities for personal growth and spiritual deepening. By seeking to learn and grow through our thorns in the flesh, we can emerge stronger and more resilient in our faith.
Thorn in the flesh for Humility
The apostle Paul discussed how to deal with a thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12. He made clear that the reason he had a thorn in the first place was to keep him humble in light of his very successful public ministry. What he didn’t tell us was what form the thorn took exactly.
The wrong way to deal with thorns
My grandfather used to tell the story about his walking into a fundamental church one Sunday. The pastor saw him from the pulpit and in front of the whole congregation said, “Well, here’s somebody we haven’t seen in a long time.” Grandpa was so embarrassed that, as he told it, he never set foot in that church (or any other) again.
I think most of us agree that the pastor’s comment was unfortunate, but if an embarrassing moment like the one my grandfather faced takes you out of the game altogether, then the consequences of that can be disastrous by comparison. It’s a mistake to think that walking with the Lord is a constant bed of roses. We should expect tests and trials, as that’s sometimes how God raises his children and prepares them for useful lives in the Kingdom of God: “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” Hebrews 12.6-7
Conclusion
In 2 Corinthians 12.10 Paul says, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” There it is. Paul could have given us ways to escape the discomfort of his thorn in the flesh, but instead he embraced it. Like a child who trusts the medicine his mother is giving him, Paul not only resigns himself to God’s decision to allow the painful message, but he glories in it.
The concept of a “thorn in the flesh” is a powerful reminder of the challenges we face in our spiritual lives. However, through reliance on God’s grace, prayer, community support, patience, and a mindset geared towards growth, we can navigate these trials effectively. Let us embrace these scriptural principles as we seek to overcome our personal thorns in the flesh.