Thorn in my Side

Char'meka Danielle
May 16, 2017
4 min read

What is a thorn? What’s the first thing that pops in your head, when you think of a thorn? Most people would think of a sharp, rigid point that comes out of a plant. Simple, right? But what if I told you that our insecurities can be the thorn; that we can’t get rid of! I’m not crazy, let me explain.

Insecurities are qualities, features, or thoughts that make us lack confidence and feel uncertain about ourselves. You know those things about yourself that cause anxiety, stress, or worry. Even the most seemingly perfect person has something they are insecure about! Trust me, I know!

Just because we live in a generation where people tend to hide their flaws with materialistic things. THEY ARE STILL THERE; and we would do anything to get rid of them! This was me at very dark point in my life. I begged God to take away the very thing I thought I’d be better without. Day after day, night after night I would plead with God to MAKE IT GO AWAY and even at times become angry (I had some nerve!) One night of begging God, he finally spoke and said, “That is your thorn; because without it you wouldn’t need me!” I was speechless and devastated that God thought this about me but it was the TRUTH. Sadly, our generation doesn’t like truth. Anyway, after I got out my feelings and really processed what the Lord had said to me; it made sense. Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; 9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

Now don’t get me wrong still after reading this amazing passage; I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I had to keep what cause so much pain and agony! I love God, so, me not needing him was hard to even comprehend. But he is God and knows EVERYTHING! So, what now? How does a generation that strives so hard to be perfect in everything deal with imperfection?

Insecurities don’t phase God. He doesn’t even pay attention to our flaws! God sees us COMPLETELY different than how we see ourselves. Don’t believe me? Look.

Ephesians 2:10: For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

1 Peter 2:9: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession….

So too me we are Crowned but we all have a THORN. And though we want to be considered perfect, we are not and somethings God will not take away because our flaws keep us humble! PERIOD. POINT. BLANK. It like a safety clause the Lord set in place to keep us from going overboard. Be real! How many times would you whole-heartedly pray without your thorn? How many times would you consider God in your decision making or give him reverence; just because?

If we are honest it wouldn’t be a lot, sad but true, and he knows that. That why we must learn to be content and maximize what God has given us even if we don’t like it. There is a great lesson to learn in being weak! At my weakest God’s strength is strong for me! When I realized that he wants my insecurity, so that he can show up in my life in ways I can’t imagine; was mind blowing!

Maximize the thorn! Paul had a thorn and was still one of the GREATEST Apostles in the bible. God can use you too! We tend to think that being perfect is the goal but it is not; BEING PERFECTED through Christ daily is what we strive for. God’s strength in your weakness may be the very thing that saves your friends and family. Our lives are walking testaments of God’s love for us and every part of us reflects him. So, what are we going to do sit around looking defeated, complaining, and whining about what God left to teach us something? No! Let’s change our perspective and maximize our thorn! One of my favorite scriptures says; God makes everything beautiful in his timing. And I’ve learned his timing is perfect. So, maximize your time with your thorn! Do the opposite of what you see; brag about your weakness it’s a gateway for God to blow your mind!