Tuesday’s Musings: A Thorn in our Flesh

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, 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.”

Much has been speculated about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.”  While he writes honestly about it no one knows for sure what it was.  Apparently he believes the thorn was given to him to keep him humble and not prideful because of the special revelations he had been given by God. 

Our poor little Dino once again has some kind of thorn in the flesh – some unspecified source of pain. He yelps occasionally from pain and is clingier.  Yesterday he stood under my desk as I wrote my sermon. I finally put a dog bed beside me and convinced him to get into it. I’ve loved on him and massaged him all over but find no tender places.  A trip to the vet last month when he had the same problem ended with no diagnosis – just muscle relaxants and pain pills and a $300 bill.  I’m confident this is something minor and temporary but don’t like him to hurt.

Haven’t we all at some time or another felt unwell without being able to identify the exact cause?  We don’t like that either.  Joe and I are giving Dino extra attention.  Scripture says that in our weakness, God’s power is made stronger. During those times, let’s look to our Lord for help and healing.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being with us in sickness and in health. Teach us to be more reliant upon your care.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige