All of us have some sort of baggage that we wish we could shake. Whether it’s the emotional pain of something from the past, some painful regrets over some things that you’ve done, or any other number of things, we all have some baggage. One of the most famous characters in the Bible had his own set of baggage. The Apostle Paul spoke about his thorn in the flesh, which was his baggage. Understanding how to identify yours can help you learn how to better deal with it.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (TPT)
The extraordinary level of the revelations I’ve received is no reason for anyone to exalt me. For this is why a thorn in my flesh was given to me, the Adversary’s messenger sent to harass me, keeping me from becoming arrogant. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.”
So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and even mistreatment-when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ-I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.
This passage of Scripture from 2 Corinthians is among the most famous in the Bible. In these verses, we get a lot of insight into Paul. The man who is credited with authoring around 2/3 of the New Testament and starting countless churches throughout the region has his own set of problems. It’s no accident that Paul didn’t go into detail about what his thorn in the flesh was. Remember, every word written in Scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit. If Paul had gone into detail about what his issue was, the only people who would be able to relate to these verses would be people who had the same problem.
Bible scholars and theologians have studied and debated what Paul’s thorn was. Some have speculated it was some sort of physical infirmity such as poor eyesight. Other have adopted the belief that it was some sort of moral temptation. We ultimately don’t know, and that’s what makes this passage so powerful.
All of us have a thorn. Each of us is walking around with something about ourselves that we wish we could change. Paul asked God three times to remove his thorn in the flesh, and three times God declined Paul’s request. That comes as a shock to us. If anyone had the right to ask God to remove some of his problems, it would be Paul, right? We’ve already looked at his resume.
Paul understood God’s reasoning for not removing his thorn, and we should look at the lessons that he learned before diving into our own thorns. First of all, Paul acknowledged that his thorn kept him humble. When we reach the point of thinking that we’re “too good” for adversity and above temptation, our pride reaches levels that God never intended it to reach.
Additionally, Paul teaches us that his thorn in the flesh served as a portal for God’s power to be more evident in his own life. Paul’s thorn forced him to depend on God, and ours does the same thing. Don’t become angry or bitter about your thorns. Instead, understand that they are an important aspect of being humble and opening yourself up to be a vessel for God’s power.
Temptations
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Many scholars argue that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was some sort of temptation that he continually faced. While we don’t know whether or not that is truly the case, we can look at our own lives and see that temptation is a major thorn for many of us.
However, in his first letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul spoke about the presence of temptation. It gives us a lot of insight about how we can better handle that thorn. First of all, remember that you are not the only person who has faced the kind of temptation that you’re presently dealing with. It’s a hard thing to do, but when you can open up to a trusted Christian friend, family member, or confidant, you can learn from their own struggles.
Additionally, keep in mind that you are not a prisoner to your temptations. While Satan may tempt us, there is nothing inside of us that says that we have to give in. Scripture promises that with every temptation, God will offer a way of escape for His people.
Emotional Baggage
Hebrews 12:15 (TPT)
Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.
All of us have faced some levels of pain in our lives. Perhaps your childhood was riddled with abuse, whether it was mental, physical, emotional, or some other type. Maybe you have been betrayed by friends, abandoned by a spouse, or undergone some sort of pain caused by someone else. When we’re hurt by someone else and the initial shock or anger subsides, we’re left with the threat of bitterness.
Bitterness is one of the most dangerous thorns that we can face. Not only are there personal consequences such as health issues, emotional problems, and mental issues, but according to Scripture, the root of bitterness sprouting within can cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.
When you allow bitterness to sprout up, that means it has roots inside you. While there is no quick way to get over emotional, mental, or physical pain caused by others, you don’t have to hold onto the bitterness that it causes.
Pride
Proverbs 16:5 (TPT)
Exalting yourself is disgusting to the Lord, for pride attracts his punishment-and you can count on that!
Finally, pride is a dangerous thorn that can creep in, often without you realizing that it’s there. As we already discussed, Paul said that the purpose of his thorn was to keep him humble, but what do you do if your thorn is an overinflated ego?
It’s important that you keep a proper perspective on yourself. Not being proud doesn’t mean that you view yourself negatively. Don’t fall into the trap of belittling yourself in the name of trying to be humble. The opposite of pride is not self-hate. Instead, the opposite of pride is humility.
You don’t have it all together. You’re not a perfect person, a perfect Christian, or a perfect anything. That’s OK! Remember, there has only been one perfect person in history, and that was Christ. Paul wasn’t perfect either. However, he knew that having a thorn would keep him humble.
If you’re struggling with pride, don’t be afraid to take a hard look at yourself. While you shouldn’t focus on your negative traits, it’s certainly a good idea to acknowledge that you have some issues. When you remember that you are a fallen individual in need of a gracious Savior, it’s easy to keep pride out of your life.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to deal with the thorn in my flesh. I know that there will be times where You don’t remove my thorn, but that You are present with me, even when I’m dealing with the pain that it caused. If there are steps that I can take to remove the thorn, show them to me. If not, help me to embrace the fact that Your grace is all that I need. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.