)Thanking God for the Thorns

Thanking God for the Thorns

2 Cor. 12:7-10 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 [a]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 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. 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.

Whatever Paul’s thorn was, it was a real irritant that bothered him and changed the way he did things.

Romans 8:29 “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Satan took from Job everything that he had, except his wife. Yes, satan did it, but God allowed it.

Job 1:12 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “’Behold, all that he has in in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.’ So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.”

Sometimes thorns happen because we make stupid decisions. Regardless, you know it’s a thorn when it doesn’t go away.

Why does God give us thorns?

1. He wants to change our perspective. Means: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

2 Cor. 1:4 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.Earlier in this same letter the apostle Paul says, “He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share this same comfort with others in trouble.”

1. He wants to grow our patience.

2 Cor 12:8-9 “I entreated the Lord three times that it might

depart from me. And he has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you…”

1. He wants us to discover His power.

2 Cor. 12:9 “My Power is perfected in weakness…I would rather boast about my weaknesses that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

1. We can experience His peace in the storm.

2 Cor. 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak; then I am strong!”

IPeter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time.”

Jer. 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you…plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope!”

. In order for God to bring those plans to pass, He needs to be in control.

Romans 8:28 “For all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.”

Ephesians 5:20 “Always give thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God.”

. In order to be the person God created us to be, to live up to our full potential, we’ve got to trust Him in the fog, trust Him through the storm, and thank Him for the thorn.

. What do you believe is your greatest strength? How about your most annoying weakness?

. What does the phrase in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My power is perfected in weakness” mean to you?

. In what area of your life do you struggle with patience, and why?

. Is there any place in your life where you’re having a hard time finding peace?

. Is there anything you need to trust God for right now?

Pray