OUCH! That HURT!

By: Monique Smith

Today I want to share the new found understanding I have of what thorns in our flesh are.

This devotional is coming from 2 Corinthians 12:1-8.

So I’ve been conversing with a few people lately about possible thorns they may have in their flesh, and honestly I thought that things people called “thorns” were just struggles they wanted to justify by labeling it as a thorn. But thankfully, my lovely cousin Qu’Derrick was able to offer more insight on the concept of thorns.

Thorns are used to humble us. Thorns are used to keep us in line with God. Thorns are used as alerts or warning flags to remind us to get back “on it” with the things of God. Thorns can be reminders of how far God has brought us. Thorns are wake up calls.

Thorns are not in our lives to make us feel worthless or unholy. Thorns are not in our lives to make us feel bad about our struggle or weakness. Thorns are not in our life so we use those things as excuses to sin.

In the passage, Paul starts off telling us about an out of body experience that a man had. This man is Paul himself, but when reading it, if you’re like me, it seems a tad odd and confusing. But after some research, I realize that Paul is speaking of himself. Paul is sharing the revelation God gave him with others.

Paul lets them know that even though God showed him that revelation, he is no better than anyone else. However, with that revelation, he has the ability to boast in those things, but he’s not going to. It’s just like me. I could boast about the impact I’m making in people’s lives and the huge difference I am making everyday, but I don’t. I have a right do that because it is a fact that I am making a difference, but I know that all glory goes to God, so I leave it at that. Plus, I don’t need pride in my life anymore; I’m not bout that business these days!

Paul later goes on to tell us that one of the main reasons he chooses not to boast is because there is a thorn in his flesh that keeps him humble. Now I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I sin, I honestly feel like I have NO business trying to help encourage others and talk about the goodness of God when my life looks a hot mess. That indeed is a HUMBLING experience! Whew! But, I then remember that “fall” or that sinful experience was NECESSARY to keep me humble or keep me focused or keep me motivated, or whatever I need in my life to live as Christ wants me to live, I am thankful.

Qu’Derrick shared with me that a thorn in his flesh is sexual immortality. He KNOWS if he is not diligent in reading scriptures about lust, or praying against that spirit; or focused on spending time with God, then he WILL fall into some sort of sexual sin, rather that be masturbation, porn, intercourse, or whatever. And that is REAL. If we realize that the thorn that we have is there to keep us in line with God, we understand the importance and how serious this walk with Christ is. We realize it’s not something we can pick up and be flaky with, but we have to be 100% committed to it at all times.

For me, I realize that a thorn in my flesh is becoming overwhelmed and busy. If you know me personally, you know that I’m always doing something. Many times I try to connect whatever I am doing with some aspect of Kingdom build up and often times find myself doing “good” things not “God” things. I was sharing with my best friend Deborah a few weeks ago how I really dislike getting to the point where I am completely overwhelmed with being busy. Why? Because when my life is not organized I don’t read my Bible. I just don’t. If you all haven’t noticed, I haven’t been diligent in writing devotionals as I was before. It’s because I allowed my thorn, being busy, to take over my life and distract me from the Word and from the things God wants me to do. I had NEVER thought of that being a thorn before until I talked to Qu’Derrick and understood what thorns actually were. My lack of scheduling and being consistent ALWAYS results in me not reading my Bible or praying like I should and that leads directly to some sort of sin for me because my thoughts become OFF the CHAIN and gossip runs rampant and complaining, whew, complaining is all up and through my mouth.

I’m not sure if we all have thorns in our flesh but I know that thorns can come in a variety of things.

I just wanted to share this with you all. I pray that it enlightened you in some way!

Prayer: God! YOU ARE DEEEEE Best! I love you so much! God you see the depths of my heart and you STILL love me! You know about the thorn that is in my flesh and you still love me! You see me when I get off track and enjoy sin, but you STILL love me! Your GRACE is sufficient in my WEAKNESS and your strength is made perfect!! God I love you so much! Thank you for new mercies! Thank you for new grace! Lord, please help me regulate my mind and bring thoughts of guilt, shame, defeat, unworthiness, and demise into captivity when they try to rear their ugly head! Remind me of your love through my surroundings! Hugs and Kisses! I love you DADDY! In Jesus name, amen!