Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:10 

 

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

 

Chapter 12 of 2 Corinthians gives readers a glimpse into Paul’s personal life. The entire letter of 2 Corinthians is a very personal letter. Paul writes a lot about his apostleship, authority, and his commitment to the gospel. In chapter 12 he writes about his “thorn in the flesh.” We don’t know exactly what this thorn in the flesh was. Some speculate that Paul was struggling with a particular sin and temptation, others believe that Paul had some type of physical infirmity. Whatever the thorn was it was something that he had prayed and prayed that God would remove, but it hasn’t happened yet. Through all this Paul says that God was teaching him humility, and the importance of relying on God’s strength in the midst of difficult times. Through his weakness Paul has discovered the greatness of God’s power. 

 

I believe that all of at some point have a thorn in the flesh. Maybe it’s a temptation, an attitude, or a physical infirmity. In these times we must learn the same truth that Paul did. Sometimes God allows us to go through seasons of pain, and temptation to help us realize just how desperately we need Him! In our time of weakness when we cry out to God and He gives us the strength to carry on in spite of the difficulty we see the power of God more clearly. We become more dependent upon Him for everything that we need in life. God allows us to struggle so we appreciate his power, and rely on Him for all our needs! When we are weak, then we are strong because that is when we cling the most powerful being in the universe, our God!