From December 28 – January 6, there will be a countdown of the top ten most viewed posts in 2021. Today is #2, originally posted February 16, 2021.
Ever had a thorn stuck under your skin? It’s painful and it keeps hurting until you can pull it out. It reminds me of the phrase people use to describe someone who gets on their nerves: “Boy they get under my skin.” A thorn under your skin continues to be painful.
This is what I think about when I read what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7: “for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself (NASB)!” He doesn’t say exactly what that thorn is, but it can’t be good if it’s a “messenger of Satan.” Think of Job 2 where God lets Satan inflict Job with all sorts of maladies. The result is that Job is humbled.
Thorns under our skin can come in all sorts of things that cause us constant pain. It could be people who berate you; the tragic loss of a loved one; or chronic illness. These struggles and the pain they continue to inflict can humble us as they did Job. While some might respond as Job’s wife in Job 2:9: “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” Paul responded similar to Job: “Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8).’”
© 2021 CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
Paul’s experience reminds us to walk with the Lord with a humble spirit. His mercy will bring us ever closer to Him.
May we humbly serve our Lord. Blessings.
Thank you for this post. For all who Love Him this TRUTH about the thorn is indeed what should driver us deeper into the Shelter of His Divine Comfort.
May we rest in our Lord. May we find comfort in Him. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
Amen! When I am in pain, I rely on God and get my strength from Him. 🙂
A good response to pain — to tap into God’s strength. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
I just need to remember to do this, and not forget. 🐣
This reminds me of working as a custom picture framer. I used to get teeny tiny glass shards imbedded under the skin on my hands all the time. When there was one stuck you could hardly focus on anything except the glass shard and how painful it was. They were very persistent and hard to pluck out, but part of the job all the same.
Those sound more painful than thorns! Ouch! 😐
Good example about persisting with the job even though you had those painful reminders. Blessings.
Your thoughts today brought to mind a song by Twila Paris, “Thank You For This Thorn.”
🎶Thank you for this thorn embedded in my flesh. I can feel the mystery. My spirit is made fresh.🎶
Whatever drives us to a closer relationship with our creator is a good thing.
Thank you, and God Bless.
I am not familiar with that song. Thanks for sharing it and the lyrics. Blessings.
As I recall, your #2 post here inspired a thorn post of my own.
Praise God that He continues to pursue us. Blessings.