Sustaining Grace: My Thorn in the Flesh
One morning several years ago I noticed that my right foot was slapping the pavement as I walked. As time went on I noticed that I was tripping myself and walking with a limp. These symptoms gradually got worse. After medication, tests, and visits to several doctors, the condition had a name but not a cause. I besought the Lord, and the problem is stabilized. No pain is present, but the leg and foot remain the same. I wear a brace, different shoes, and walk with a limp, but I do walk. It takes me a bit longer to get dressed in the morning, and my physical activity is somewhat limited. The doctors are at a standstill, and unless the Lord chooses to work, my condition will remain the same. Some may question, “Why would God allow this?” My question is, “How should I react to this?”
The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 about a continuing experience he had in his life. He called it “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan”—something that God allowed to be permanent in his life. As far as we know it was some kind of physical problem for which Paul pleaded with the Lord three times for its removal. Three times the Lord refused to grant his desire. Instead, something more wonderful and beneficial happened. Something more wonderful and beneficial than physical healing? Yes!
The Lord may work in mysterious ways to us, but He always works according to His will. As a boy I was most impressed by the first sermon of our new pastor when he preached on Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The verse was committed to memory that day. Like Paul, I have recently experienced how the Lord works and what our response should be.
The Reason (v. 7)
In verse seven Paul mentions being “exalted above measure.” This seems like a reference to potential pride in his life. Pride is a problem in everyone’s life that must be dealt with if we are to be effective in our Christian service. “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Prov. 29:23). Saul was a proud Jew, and at this point in his life, now Paul, he is concerned about being exalted or puffed up. In the face of physical affliction, we should examine ourselves to see if God is keeping us humble through the experience. “. . . And be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble”( I Pet. 5:5).
The Recognition (vv. 8, 9)
Paul had an affliction, a thorn in the flesh, that would not go away. Maybe he wondered whether the Lord had responded favorably to his importunate prayer, offered three times. Remember, that Jesus prayed three times that the cup of sin and death would pass from Him. The will of God was otherwise, and Jesus was willing to accept it. It is a wonderful thing that the Lord completely knows and understands our situation. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
With my apparent thorn in the flesh I discovered, like Paul, the sufficiency of God. His grace is more than enough; it is the grace of God that enables us to effectively perform a task or live with a physical affliction. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”(Eph. 4:7). And “he giveth more grace” (James 4:6), whatever is required.
His strength is best demonstrated in the presence of my weakness, so that He gets the glory and not I. The condition on our part, as it was with the heroes of Hebrews 11, is one of weakness; however, these same people were made strong and waxed valiant in their struggles. Through these experiences we learn that we have a God who is sovereign, sufficient, and sympathetic.
The Rejoicing (vv. 9, 10)
Can we rejoice in the face of physical affliction? Paul did. His letter to the Philippians certainly testifies to the fact that he was a joyful Christian (Phil. 4:4). It was not a resignation under suffering with the idea that “Since the Lord didn’t remove it, I will put up with it the best I can.” There was no whining, complaining, or questioning.
Paul gloried in and took pleasure in his infirmities rather than seeking deliverance. Through his attitude Christ was glorified, and Paul experienced God’s grace and power. Paul continued his preaching in spite of his infirmity (Gal. 4:13).
The Reception (v. 9)
In exchange for his thorn in the flesh the Apostle Paul received the power of Christ resting upon him. What an exchange! Here is the power of Christ “pitching its tent over him,” i.e., dwelling in him as in a tent where He reveals His glory. This same power enables us to do all the will of God—including witnessing (Acts 1:8), preaching (Micah 3:8), or whatever God has in mind (II Sam. 22:33). I have discovered that exchanging a thorn in the flesh for the power of Christ is not only fair but glorious.
As He did with the apostle Paul, God has a special office to perform in the work of sanctification in us. Paul became well content with weakness, insults, distress, and persecutions. He learned this and rejoiced (Phil. 4:11). Only when we are emptied of ourselves can we be filled with the power and glory of God.
In the light of Paul’s experience as well as my own experience, I thought of some practical applications for my thorn in the flesh. This particular affliction provided a necessary restriction on me which may have reduced the affect of a heart attack which followed it. This restriction could also be preventing overexertion after the heart attack. My affliction provides an opportunity to live a positive testimony in spite of limitations. I am reduced to operating in His strength and acknowledging that fact. Like the apostle Paul, my thorn in the flesh may have been brought about to produce humility and bring glory to God.
My doctors are confounded, but God is not. If there is to be healing, God must do it, and if He does, everyone will recognize that fact. If God continues not to heal, then I will “glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
Warren Stuber is a retired minister serving at Faith Baptist Church in Taylors, SC.
(Originally published in FrontLine • November/December 2002. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.)
Photo by Shutterstock