My Thorn
By Lexi Cole Ellis
By Lexi Cole Ellis
“Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on
me.”
Recently,
a friend and I were talking about her mental illness journey. While God
certainly could take this struggle away, it appears that therapy and learning
to manage it will most likely be her journey for the foreseeable future. In our
conversation, she said something that really struck me.
“This
feels like my thorn...”
She
was referring to 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.
The gist of it is that Paul writes about a thorn that he has, and that it’s
super annoying. He pleads with God to take it away, but God responds with a “no.”
Instead He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect
in weakness.”
Theologians
have noted that Paul doesn’t specify what “thorn” is affecting him. Some
speculate that it might be a physical ailment, past guilt, temptation, a person
or mental illness. However, they also note the things that we do know about the
situation: It was allowed by God. It was challenging, to the point of being
tormenting. And that Paul pleaded that it would be taken away, and God basically
said, “no.” [1]
Part
of me would love to know what was tripping Paul up…I mean he’s quite the guy.
But I love the reminder that all of us, even Paul, live in a fallen world and
are affected by sin and disease. Whatever that thorn is - - a season of grief, a challenging relationship,
mental illness, unexpected health struggles, heartache or pain - - God enters
the mess and journeys with us.
He
doesn’t promise for it to be taken away. But He promises to be right there on the
journey - - through the crisis and confusion. And even if He doesn’t promise to
end it here on earth, He does promise that His power is revealed in these
circumstances, and that eternity will remove every tear, pain and sorrow. [2]
It
made think about what my thorn is. And
as I reflected on that, I realized that my thorn included the moments where God
really showed up in my life. Despite the pain, despite the annoyance, despite
the weakness… my thorn was met by God’s power and grace.
I’m
thankful my friend reminded me to take some time identifying my own thorn. It prompted
me to see God’s power and grace at work in the midst of my own thorn.
GOING
DEEPER:
1. Take some time to
think about your own potential thorn.
2. Where has God shown up in the midst of your thorn?
2. Where has God shown up in the midst of your thorn?
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have
an adorable dog named Calvin. She teaches 6th grade Reading and
Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start
Coordinator.
[2] 2
Corinthians 12:8a, Revelations 21:4
