Paul's Thorn: From Weakness to Worship

On Friday, December 13, I sent this selfie to my friend after finishing a run to encourage her to stay active. I hadn’t planned on connecting it to a blog post, but it turns out to be a fitting image for this topic. For a long time, I believed that, if I could just build up my endurance, it would solve my health problems. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Facing an autonomic disorder is far more complex than simply increasing stamina, but it has also been a journey of learning to trust God in my weakness.

It's clear that God can use anyone - liars, murdered, adulterers, and maybe even you too! It's clear that God has no limits, but how is that manifesting in your life? This world is not without its hardships, and that is Biblical! Sometimes, we must face constant battles that are caused by factors beyond our control. Those battles are a part of our God-given unique position to live for His glory.

For the last 8 years, I have had a staggering battle with my own chronic illness. I have had relief periods as well as setbacks. Planning all these health routes and routines leaves me mentally and emotionally worn out. Physical battles are exhausting on all fronts. When this struggle was new to me, I would cry often about it. I still get upset with a major setback. However, the truths that ultimately governed life back then also apply now.

Reading Paul's letters has reminded me of a couple of those truths.

FIRST! God can use anyone in any position.

From 2 Corinthians 12

7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.

Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament, performed healing miracles, testified in front of many crowds (including influential leaders), and caused all of Asia to hear the word of the Lord. This same man had a certain unknown weakness that he had to overcome.

9 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. 10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

The exact cause of Paul's pain is unknown, and this probably was on purpose. Anyone with a limitation - whether internal or external, physical or spiritual, or emotional or mental - can read Paul's story and find encouragement. Regardless of Paul's weakness, Paul still carried on the good work of Jesus and did not allow his weakness to be a hindrance to his ministry. He even found strength and contentment in God.

In his letter to the Galatian church, Paul does refer to having a physical illness. It is possible that Paul had to make a stop in Galatia in order to recover. We do not know whether or not this was connected to Paul's thorn. However, we do know that God used this unique opportunity for Paul to share the Gospel.

From Galatians 4

13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition, nor express contempt, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

A few more examples of how God can use anyone in any condition:

• A demon-possessed man becomes a witness to the Lord's greatness and mercy.

  • Mark 5:19 "And He did not let him, but He *said to him, 'Go home to your people and report to them [a]what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.'”

• A blind-born man allows for Jesus' demonstration of power.

  • John 9:2-3 "And His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"

• A dead man's resurrection glorifies Jesus.

  • John 11:4 "But when Jesus heard this, He said, 'This sickness is not meant for death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.'"

SECOND! God. (the first word in the first point)

It's not about us. It's about God.

From 1 Corinthians 1

27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The purpose of Paul's thorn was "to keep me from exalting myself." When God uses the weak, utilizes unexpected circumstances, and makes "impossible" possible, He gets more honor. As stated in previous blogs, our purpose is glorifying and delighting in God. This is how Paul's thorn went from being his weakness to his worship!

I will forever quote C.S. Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." God deserves honor, and our weaknesses make it more evident that He does.

What's next? Mimic Paul's Mindset! From Thorn of Weakness to Worship!

From Philippians

1:12 Now I want you to know brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.

In verse 12, Paul is referring to his imprisonment. During this time, his testimony has spread, and most of his brothers in Christ have found courage to testify. Paul remembered his divine calling from God (Acts 9:15-16) and knew that his efforts were successful even from prison.

1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Chapter 3

7 But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; 16 however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

While encouraging the Philippians, Paul demonstrates his mindset. His focus is on Christ, and ours should be the same. His valued knowing Christ and striving to be like Christ above all else. I believe this is how Paul was content in his circumstances, whether he was dealing with his thorn, a bodily illness, or imprisonment. Christians today have access to the same peace Paul had. Let us turn our weakness into worship.

From Philippians 4

11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Personally, reflecting on Paul's words is encouraging to me. My struggle certainly humbles me and challenges me to be disciplined in everything I do. There are definitely days where I slack, but I know I have a higher calling than to be lazy. If I want to truly live to the standards God has called me to, I have to work against my fleshly desires and exercise, eat right, sleep enough, spend time with God, read the Bible, fellowship, etc. When my struggle seems to overwhelm me, I have to remember that success is not getting rid of my struggle. Success is glorifying God, which I can do in whatever position I am in. This means I have to embrace the place God has me in. When I want to give up, I can remember that the struggles of this world are only for a short time, and I will be with my Savior in heaven on day. This gives me strength.