the POINT of the THORN

Do you have a thorn in the flesh? Oh how we as humans resist anything that agitates or irritates us.  Yet, our “thorns” are not only divinely permitted, but they are even custom fitted. The Apostle Paul wrote about such thorns saying they come our way mainly for God’s strength to have its way in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). There is nothing wrong with praying for the irritation to be removed--Paul did and so did Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane--but when the answer from God is not removal but rather “this is by My approval”, then the thorn must become a launchpad for God’s strength.Consider the amazing inspiration of Joni Eareckson Tada, who turned her state of paralysis into a paradigm of purpose.  She could have surrendered to her hurt and “paralyzed” the influence that God entrusted to her through her pain. Or --just as she did--surrender to the grip of grace and has been held up to a higher standard of influence ever since. She once said, “My weakness, that is, my quadriplegia, is my greatest asset because it forces me into the arms of Christ every single morning when I get up."And not only Joni, but also the likes of Fanny Crosby, who is known as  the most prolific hymnist in history. Fanny, being born blind, went on to call her condition the blessed providence of God who delighted in giving her such a gift for His glory and pleasure. When asked about her blindness, Crosby was reported as saying that "had it not been for her affliction she might not have so good an education or have so great an influence, and certainly not so fine a memory."Had it not been for her “thorn in the flesh,” she might not have invited the King to make His strength known through her weakness. You see, with Jesus, weakness is never wasted. God is not willing to throw anything away. Whether sickness, paralysis, or even blindness, God uses it all to show that He will allow some irritation into our lives in order to produce the pearl of salvation in our lives. Yes, ask the clam about the irritation of sand.  It would probably tell you that, “All this grinding and pressure hurts”, but it would also be quick to say, “But it’s the necessary process to produce a beautiful pearl.”The moral. Don’t complain about the thorn’s point nagging you, but begin praying about the point of the thorn and what God has for you.