Fighting The Good FightSample

Rejoicing in Suffering 

Paul’s thorn in the flesh produced a humility and dependence on God, because the Lord wanted to destroy any pride within the apostle. In other words, Paul was not just annoyed by his imperfection, he agonized over it and wanted it dead. However, knowing even the great Apostle Paul’s weak frame, God was satisfied to leave Paul’s thorn right where it was for the sake of keeping him from greater destruction: pride. Paul had to be humbled in order to fulfill the purpose of God in his life, and for the testimony of the Church throughout all ages. 

Paul explains that this is a good thing, and reason to rejoice. To endure suffering, we must have confidence in the hope of God. We do not rejoice in our suffering itself—we rejoice in the God of our salvation who Himself is our joy and reward, who produces character in us through our suffering. Thorns like Paul’s produce a godly humility and eternal glory. They sting in the present, but will finally get fully pulled out of our flesh when Jesus appears, and we will be grateful for all He wrought in us to restore us to the holy Image we are made in.

Jesus, thank You that You love us enough to train us through discipline. We love You, we trust You, and we submit ourselves to You.