2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10 (NKJV)
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.

In my Bible study group we’re working through Charles Stanley’s book Advancing Through Adversity, and this week’s chapter focused on lessons we can learn from the life of the apostle Paul. If you didn’t read the verses at the top of this page, go back and do that now because there’s a huge lesson in these words.

When Paul wrote of the “thorn in the flesh” that God allowed to persist in his life, the Greek word he used for “thorn” didn’t refer to a small thorn like you would find in your lawn or garden. He chose a word that referred to a sharp, pointed stake that would produce intense pain and suffering.

In addition, the word used for “buffet” actually meant to beat repeatedly or pummel. It’s the same word used in Mark 14:65 to describe what Christ endured when He was mocked, beaten, and spit on before His crucifixion. Paul’s adversity was truly intense! It was no small matter and must have been a daily obstacle to deal with. Dr. Stanley describes it as “unrelenting anguish.”

In response to this agonizing problem, Paul didn’t give up or pull back.  Instead he:

• Admitted his need for God’s help
• Asked—he begged—three times for relief from the problem
• Accepted God’s answer when He said, “No” to Paul’s request
• Adjusted his attitude to see that when he was weakest, God was strongest
• Acted with confidence as he kept on serving the risen Savior
• Announced his pleasure in having a problem that allowed God to work through Him

Paul’s attitude and actions were amazing!  What a great lesson for all of us! Through the toughest of times, we can think, feel and act with full assurance that God will never leave us, never fail us.  His grace is sufficient.  His strength is ours.  We can rejoice in adversity.

Blessed Father, help me learn as Paul did that Your grace is sufficient for all my needs.

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright Ann Shorb, 2009

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Skits for Fun and Learning
Skits for Fun and Learning is a collection of 15 puppet scripts and 5 articles on the subject of success with puppet ministries. The articles and scripts have been written by Dr. Ann Shorb and the book is available for purchase as a paperback, or as a PDF download.