'Our "thorn"
Our "thorn"
"There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." 2 Corinthians 12:7
Our "thorn" may either be a blessing to us, or it may do us irreparable harm — which, depends upon ourselves.
If we allow it to fret us;
if we chafe, resist, and complain;
if we lose faith and lose heart —
it will spoil our life. But if we accept it in faith that in its ugly burden, it has a blessing for us; if we endure it patiently, submissively, unmurmuringly; if we seek grace to keep our heart gentle and true amid all the trial, temptation, and suffering it causes — it will work good, and out of its bitterness will come sweet fruit.
The responsibility is ours, and we should so relate ourselves to our "thorn" and to Christ — that growth and good, not harm and marring, shall come to us from it. Such weakness is blessed only if we get the victory over it through faith in Christ.
"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!" 2 Corinthians 12:9