Real Hope: Finding Hope Through the Life of PaulSample

When I Am Weak, I Am Strong

The Apostle Paul struggled between boasting about his weaknesses and bragging about his strengths. Paul had a lot to brag about, including the many churches he’d built, the pastors he’d developed and mentored, the people he’d won to Christ, and even the significant revelations and visions God had given him. However, Paul chose not to boast about his accomplishments and strengths, instead, he spoke of his shortcomings and weaknesses.

Paul was given a ‘thorn’ to remind him that it wasn’t about him. Nobody knows exactly what Paul’s thorn was. Several theologians debate whether it was spiritual, bodily, or emotional in nature. All we know is that Paul’s thorn caused him a great deal of pain. Paul discovered that God allows thorns in our lives for a reason. Thorns are ultimately used to transform us more into Christ’s likeness. Just like roses, we all have thorns. These come in various forms, like the loss of a loved one, broken relationships and marriages, job losses, failures, emotional challenges, and even financial catastrophes.

A thorn in our life points us to God. Thorns move us to become totally dependent upon God’s grace. Sometimes the very thing we want to be removed from our lives is the very thing we need in our relationship with God.

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN