“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

In the previous verses, Paul spoke of an extraordinary spiritual experience. Following on the heels of this account is the mention of a humbling “thorn in the flesh,” which he does not specify. It may have been a certain temptation, weakness, or physical problem; possibly an eyesight issue (Galatians 4:15). Regardless, its purpose was “to keep me from exalting myself!” (verse 7)

Three times Paul prayed that this affliction might be removed. This is important. Christian maturity does not mean pretending suffering doesn't hurt. Paul genuinely wanted relief, and he openly asked God for it. There is nothing unspiritual about praying, “Lord, please take this away.” Faith can ask boldly for deliverance while remaining willing to trust God's wisdom.

The response was not removal of the affliction but rather, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul didn’t need the grace of removal, but rather that of reinforcement - the ability to endure amidst the affliction rather than apart from it.

From this the lesson that Paul learned was, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” The Christian life is therefore not fundamentally about becoming strong enough to live without dependence on God. It is about discovering that God's strength meets us precisely where our own strength runs out.

There are moments when we desperately want God to change our circumstances. Paul apparently prayed this kind of prayer. But, what we so desperately seek is not always what is best. God’s faithfulness is not measured by changed circumstances, but rather by strength to endure circumstances.

We need not understand the thorn. What we need is to trust the One who meets us in it.

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