Paul wrote in 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 buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. 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.”

This was a painful affliction of some kind, though we are not told just what it was. The “thorn” was in Paul’s flesh, and God permitted it, to keep Paul humble and conscious of his own weaknesses and his dependence upon the Lord. Paul, therefore, could be of greater service to the Lord with this infirmity than without it. He had prayed to God three times for healing, but the Lord’s answer was to refuse to heal Paul, and to remind him that His grace was sufficient to help him to bear up under the pain. It is far better to experience God’s grace in sickness than to enjoy good health, but be less useful in the service of the Lord. The Lord was in effect telling Paul that it was His will that Paul not be healed, because He knew what was best for Paul under the circumstances. God knew what was good for Paul; far better than Paul himself (Ps. 139:1-6; Jas. 1:2-4). In the words of James, the testing of Paul’s faith worked patience and mature strength.

Please notice how Paul reacted to this. Did he become despondent and complain to God and everyone around him? Did he begin to find fault with the Lord because He did not answer his prayer for the “thorn” to be removed? Is there any indication that Paul was angry because someone (with their head on backwards) upset him by telling him that he wasn’t healed because he did not have enough faith to be made well by the Lord? Did Paul make others around him uncomfortable or miserable because of his ill temper or constant complaining? No, there is no indication of any of these things happening with Paul. Instead, because of his wisdom and faith, Paul humbly submitted himself to the will of God. If God had chosen to heal Paul, then glory be to the Lord; and if He chose not to heal him, glory be to God anyway! This was Paul’s attitude in this painful matter. Note verse ten again, “There I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecution, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul places the entire matter into the hand of the Lord, and humbly submitted to His will, rather then continue to seek an answer that would gratify his own personal desires. This should be the pattern for each and every sincere child of God that is suffering through a painful trial or experience (Phil. 4:9-13). We need to “take our burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

These changes in life that come our way, can be an occasion of blessing, in the long run, as our faith is made stronger as a result of leaning upon the Lord as we pass through the ordeal. Remember that a gem cannot be polished without friction, nor faith perfected without the abrasion of trials. The beauty of holiness never is so radiant than when displayed by a humble child of God, who bears up under severe trials and testing, ever leaning upon the mighty hand of God. This is a testimony that speaks with eloquent voice to an unbelieving world, and to a shaken brotherhood of fellow believers alike.

Let us, one and all, in simple trusting faith, lean upon God’s marvelous grace in the trials and changes of life that come our way. When you feel down; look up! God is there, with us and for us.