Strength Thru Adversity (Thorny Flesh)

We suffer adversity of all sorts (death, illness, natural disasters, divorce, loss of job, etc.) because we live in a fallen world. In Scripture, Paul lamented over his adversity, which he described as a thorn in the flesh, and he asked God three times to remove it:

(2Cor 12:7-10 NASB - Emphasis added)
"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!



Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.


And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.


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."
 
The following poem describes Paul's response to this suffering and how we can also be sustained through our adversities. Call on God who loves you, maintain your faith in Him, and rest in His promise to always be with you.

THORNY FLESH

Apostle Paul said his flesh had a thorn
This doesn’t seem to have left him forlorn.
He said he had been sustained by God’s grace
To finish running the Christian race.

We don’t know the nature of the beast.
Three times Paul asked God for a release.
God didn’t remove the thorny device.
He simply said, "My grace will suffice."

Though this problem was not taken from him,
Paul is still one real biblical Gem.
He spent his life relating God’s Plan;
Much Gospel is written by this man.

In this, many of us relate to Paul.
Our flesh also has more than one shortfall.
Although our ‘thorn’ may cause us to frown,
We simply cannot let it get us down.

The same Grace which sustained Apostle Paul
Still remains if on God we will call.
God, You know my flesh is ‘thorny’, too.
Help me still do what you would have me do.

Robbie J. Huffman

Keep your focus on Him. His grace and mercy are even stronger in our time of need.
 
(2Cor 1:3-4 NASB)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,



who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."