“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). We so often assume that if God has seen fit to place a thorn in our flesh, then it is because He is displeased with us or punishing us. But if Jesus Christ can wear with pride the crown of thorns placed upon His head, then perhaps we too can accept the thorns that we must bear and follow Paul's example and glory in our infirmities, so that the power of Christ can rest upon us. It is only when we embrace our thorns that we will be ready for what comes next. As much as we would like to believe otherwise, the reward for enduring with patience and humility one thorn in our flesh is not the removal of but rather the addition of a new thorn. As often as we progress and overcome challenges in life, new and harder afflictions are being prepared for us. But each new thorn that pierces us to our very soul opens us up for even more of our Savior's grace to pour in and perfect us in our weakness. And little by little we add one thorn upon another until we each have our own crown of thorns. “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:5-8). I hope that we will all come to see each new thorn as only a light affliction that torments us for a moment but prepares us for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
