Thorn Advantage

I have a thorn.

Like the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, I ask God to remove it from me. But it remains there. Again, like Paul, I'd ask "Why?"

This thorn in me. If I'll list the trials and testings I had in me and my family and ministries, you might say I should stop serving God and teaching His Word.

I can't believe how much it has taken me this long. I've studied the Bible for many years and taught it in both church and seminary. But it's only now that I'm able to fully grasp the Lord's response to the Apostle Paul's thorn in the flesh.

He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." —2 Corinthians 12:9

It's a pride antidote. The thorn lets me recognize always how much I need God. As I do, it strengthens me. It teaches me to trust God more. It makes me a better Bible teacher even when going through tough times.

That's the thorn advantage.