Paul, the faithful servant of Christ, had a problem. He had what he called a “thorn-in-the-flesh.” The Bible has never told us just what his “thorn” was. Some have thought Paul was referring to his poor eyesight, but it seems that God has always left it open… perhaps to more clearly teach us a principle. The “thorn” may have been a physical infirmity. It may have been a constant harassment by Satan. Or even loneliness. Then again, it may have been the great sorrow that Paul experienced – he was deeply grieved at the rejection of the Good News of the Gospel by so many of his fellow Jews. Whatever it was, we can learn something from II Corinthians 12:7-10.

   I want to think about Paul’s attitude toward his problem – his “thorn.” I want to note how he reacted to God’s response – or His seeming lack of response. First, Paul prayed for deliverance from his “thorn.” In fact, he pled with God three different times to grant him freedom from it. Now, we can understand Paul’s desires. We all want peace and comfort. None of us enjoys suffering. We all want God to make life easier for us. That’s just natural.

   But God did not remove Paul’s problem. He did not make life easier for Paul to bear. He let Paul go right on living with the situation just as it was. He often does not change things for us, either. He very often allows the problem to continue. Sometimes He even allows circumstances to worsen.

   But what God did do for Paul, and what He wants to do for us, is to prove that His grace is sufficient. He wants each of us to understand that in our weakness His strength can come forth. In fact, it is only when we recognize our utter helplessness to be or to do anything pleasing to God, that He is able to become in us, and to do through us, that which He desires.

   God told Paul, in so many words, “No, I will not change things. I will not prevent your suffering. But I will not leave you. And where you are weak, I will manifest My strength, that you may endure.” And God is saying this to you and me as well.

   How did Paul react to God’s response? Did he grumble? Complain? Feel sorry for himself? I confess that I’ve done all of the above. How about you? Paul reacted by accepting God’s will, rather than hounding God to allow him his own will. More than that, he accepted with JOY. Paul said he rejoiced in all his problems. Read verse 10 – he had lots of them!

   Can you and I accept God’s will in our present difficulties? Can we accept with joy? If we can, we too will find God’s grace sufficient. More than that, we, like Paul, will find the very power of God resting on us… working through us.

   When we praise the Lord, when we have an attitude of praise toward God, He is able to perform whatever it is that He wants to accomplish. Perhaps He wants to change the situation. When we adopt an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. He can and often does change things. On the other hand, maybe God wants to change us. When we praise and thank Him, trusting Him in the midst of our problems, the Lord is able to accomplish His purpose: to help us grow up in Jesus. This is what God wanted to do in Paul. He wanted Paul to be conformed to the image of Christ. God wanted more of His power resting on and working through Paul.

   God wants more of His power resting on us, working through us. Are you willing? Am I? Well, if we rejoice in our trials, we will glorify the Lord, and His strength will overcome our weaknesses. We have His promise. (Reprint from March 1990)