By Joseph Perry

What do you have in your life that’s irritating you? You feel like it’s keeping you from advancing. It’s keeping you from maximizing your potential. You may not be aware, but a blessing could be tied up in your thorns that God wants you to see and receive. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, God speaks to us about thorns in our lives.

All across this world, there are so many people who are having to deal with thorns. It may not be more than one, but you’ve got one that’s a problem.

I was traveling to work and noticed that the fog was very thick. Driving in fog can be dangerous. It can blot out everything so you can’t see clearly. Fog can keep you from knowing the next step and seeing your next move. We are sometimes in thick fog in our lives. There are things that actually blot out our vision so we are unable to see our next step or our next move.

Paul talks about a thorn in his life. It does not really say what his thorn was. Paul did have trouble seeing to the point many others wanted to give him their own eyes. He had experienced an encounter with God many years earlier after he was knocked down off of his horse.

Sometimes, God allows us to have these thorns in our lives to remind us that He’s God. He allows us to have these thorns to cause us to reflect on what he has done in our lives.

Paul, like all of us, had to deal with a thorn. A thorn is a splinter or a needle. It’s like a piece of wood that gets in our finger or toe. It can be whatever is nagging you. Something that’s hurting you. It’s something that won’t go away. It continues to bother you. It frustrates you to no end.

Paul said, “I went to the Lord three times, and nothing happened.” What we need to do when we have a thorn is take our problems to God. You don’t have to deal with your thorns alone. You don’t have to act like your thorn is not there. No, you need to take every headache, every discomfort, every nagging problem, every frustration, and just give it to God. You’re trying to get rid of it, but the very thing you’re trying to get rid of, may be the very thing that may help you in the long run.

It’s not only that we should be praying as we deal with our thorns, but we need to know that God will give us grace with the thorn. God gives sufficient grace to handle any thorn. It’s like He gives us a second wind. He knows how to give us sufficient grace. He’ll give you the endurance until your change comes.

The Bible shares that God is able to make all grace abound. Don’t try to pull your thorn out, or you could rip something. But trust the grace of God to work it out. Paul got grace when he prayed. You need to stay with God. Depression and discouragement will come, and things in life will irritate you. There will be problems in life that will arise. However, your thorn can be changed in a moment. Something can happen to take your mind off of your thorns. Don’t run from your thorn, because you may miss what God is trying to show you.

God allows us to deal with a thorn for a reason. They can make you weak, but God through it can show you His awesome power. Be content with your thorn when you know God is responsible. Praise Him still with your thorn. Focus on Him with your thorn. Stop getting upset with your thorn. You have to keep talking to yourself, saying, “I know The Lord has this. I know everything is going to work out.”

This year, thank God you are still here, even though you still have your thorn. But ask Him to show His power through you, that you might help someone else in the midst of their thorns. Stay focused and keep giving Him the praise.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Perry is pastor of St. Mark AME Zion Church. Contact him at josephp134@gmail.com.