The Gift of the Thorn: Part 1

Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year. It’s about families coming together to celebrate the birth of God’s Son. But it can also be the most difficult season of the year.It seems as if at Christmas time (or any other holiday) there is a gigantic spotlight shining on our families, magnifying all that is wrong. Not only does that spotlight magnify all that is wrong to us, many times other people are allowed to see the shortcomings of our families as well.You have probably heard the expression: “they are a thorn in my side.” Oftentimes, our families can feel like that thorn. And we might also be a thorn to some of them too!The Bible speaks, through the apostle Paul, of such a thorn in II Cor. 12:7-10: “To keep me from becoming conceited… there was given me a thorn in my flesh, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why…I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”We have all experienced “thorns” in our lives. Some “thorns” are seasonal, some remain with us for a lifetime: thorns of sickness, divorce, lost children, financial crisis, or consequences of past mistakes. Regardless of the name we place on them, they are still “thorns in our flesh” and they can become more noticeable, and even more painful, during a holiday season.I have experienced many thorns throughout my lifetime, some have come and gone, but some very painful ones have remained a part of my life to this very day. Through my experiences with these “thorns” (these painful extended family situations), God has taught me some very valuable lessons that I want to share with you, and prayerfully, will be an encouragement to you during this Christmas season as you feel the spotlight on your own thorns.(1) My “thorn” keeps me humble.Paul says in verse 7 of the above scriptures: “to keep me from becoming conceited.”  Paul had much to be prideful about… great revelations and great accomplishments in his life.

His thorn was allowed in his life to keep him humble… and so is ours!

Our thorn helps us realize our dependence on God. It’s very difficult to become proud when we’ve got a “thorn” in our flesh.(2) Thorns are painful, especially when touched.In verse 8, Paul continues: “three times I PLEADED with the Lord to take it away from me.”It is often times during the holiday season, that our thorns become extremely painful. It’s during the setting of the holidays, that the brokenness of our families shines brightly… and our thorn digs even deeper. If God doesn’t remove that thorn from us, then He’s committed to using it somehow for our good (Romans 8:28).We must trust that God is moving and working on our behalf, even if we can’t see it at the time.  

Thorns are painful, but if God hasn’t removed it, then He’s using it in your life for a greater good. So we must trust Him.

(3) Don’t allow my “thorn” to become a “root of bitterness”

Hebrews 12:15 warns us: “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

If we are not careful, our thorn in the flesh can turn into a root of bitterness.  If we don’t recognize how God is using our thorn for a greater good in our lives, bitterness can easily grow in our hearts.There is a distinct difference between a person with “a thorn in the flesh” and a person with “a root of bitterness.”

A thorn in the flesh = doesn’t blame others for their thorn, they forgive freely, continually bringing their pain to God.A root of bitterness = blames everyone else for their pain, does not forgive freely, and harbors the pain in their hearts, instead of bringing their pain to God, allowing healing to happen in their hearts.

I am going to continue these thoughts in next week’s devotional but before we move on, I want you to identify that “thorn” in your life. What does it look like to you? When is it more painful? Is the holiday’s a time when you feel that pain more severely?If so, bring that “thorn”, along with your pain to God.  Allow Him to touch that area of your heart and trust that He is working on your behalf, for your good.Will you pray this prayer with me?“Father God, I bring my ‘thorn in my flesh’ to You (name who or what your thorn is).  You see the pain I carry because of this thorn, and I like Paul, ask You to take it from me. Show me ways that this thorn can be released from me. (Perhaps you need to forgive someone, or ask forgiveness, etc.) But if this thorn is to remain with me, I ask for Your strength and grace to walk through this.  I trust that You are working this situation out for my good and one day, this very thorn might be used as a testimony of the goodness and grace of God in my life. Thank you, God, for never leaving me so that I don’t have to walk through this alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”