Is a thorn in the flesh the same as pain in the heart?
Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Text: “To keep me (that is Apostle Paul) from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. In spiritual life the laws are sometimes just the opposite to that of the physical world and this passage is a good example of it. Without knowing what had happened to Apostle Paul, his statement sounds illogical to many thinkers: “for when I am weak, then I am strong” (10th verse), however, taking into consideration how God had responded to apostle Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” we can understand why and how did this devoted follower of Christ make such a seemingly contradictory statement; “when I am weak, then I am strong.”
A THORN IN THE FLESH.
Apostle Paul’s words became a proverbial statement for describing a constant or intermittent irritation, annoyance or affliction that cannot be relieved. We also have to put up with vexations and frustrations, and it is good if we learn from this saintly man, how he had dealt with his painful experience.
While people do not show much interest in religion and heeding Apostle Paul, the frightening signs transpire ominously through the daily news; many cannot handle disappointments and aggravations; and without hesitation they are ready to vent their anger, retaliate or are even willing to commit a major crime.
“THREE TIMES I PLEADED WITH THE LORD TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME.”
What does this praying theologian teach us about the thorn in the flesh?
– GOD DOES NOT HAVE TO REPLY THE WAY WE WISH HIM TO DO. We do not know what “THREE TIMES” means; three prayers on three consecutive days or three prayer sessions when Paul had prayed and fasted for weeks. After the third time, the divine answer came but not in the form Apostle Paul had expected; instead of a relief from the pain, encouraging words reached him: “My grace is sufficient for you …” How patiently will the modern man pray, and will a divine promising statement, which does not match our idea, satisfy us?
– WHAT CORRELATION DID APOSTLE PAUL FIND BETWEEN HIS PHYSICAL PAIN AND HIS TRUST IN THE LORD?
– Not so much the source of his trouble; who caused it: the messenger of Satan, God’s permissive will, a human problem or an unknown illness?
– Not so much the duration of the ailment; how long shall I tolerate it?
– Not so much the logic of it; why should I suffer? Others deserve it even more.
He could see the positive among the negative; “To keep me from becoming conceited … there was given me a thorn in my flesh to torment me.” The New Revised Standard version says: “A thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.” The aching of the body appeared to Apostle Paul as the messenger of Satan to harass him, however, he had interpreted this harassment as a warning sign, WITHOUT CROSS THERE IS NO CROWN! Remember, a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus’ head when he had been crucified.
– IN WHAT FORM DOES THE THORN (WHATEVER IT STANDS FOR) BOTHER MODERN MEN AND WOMEN? We can run to our doctor with the smallest discomfort and, in most cases, the medication or the treatment will help. But who can offer relief for broken hearts, shattered dreams, unethical dealings, troublesome neighbors, uncaring parents, ungrateful children or an unfaithful spouse? And in what way should God strengthen his children? To offer them grace to be patient, understanding and to remain humble? What would be our preferences? To tolerate or retaliate, to grin and bear or complain and revolt, to look into our hearts or blame others, to receive more faith and strength or ask for a much smaller and less painful thorn?
This soft-hearted yet much-afflicted servant of the Lord would humbly ask each of us: “What is your thorn (whatever it symbolizes) and how do you react to it?” Sir Stafford Cripps’ comment is quite fitting: “To pray and not to do our best to accomplish that for which we pray is to insult God.”
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.