I’ve always been intrigued by Paul’s ‘thorn in his side’. We aren’t told what it is, we know that he wants it gone, and we hear that his response is, ‘my Grace is sufficient for you’. I’ve posted on this before…
We all have those annoying thorns in our lives. For some of us it may be an illness and for others a habit or personality flaw that we are trying to work on. We ask God again and again for help – please remove this thorn. If only I could change this or conquer that!
But what if that thorn is a person who is in your life? Someone who you struggle with time and time again. I would be such a better person if he or she didn’t bug me so much! And yet, it is precisely that person who may be the instrument in helping you to become that better person that you long to be.
That person is there for a reason, they may be your very ticket to heaven. Instead of looking outward at him or her, perhaps we should look inward at ourselves. What is it about that person that makes you nuts? Is it your own insecurities or fears? Are you jealous? Are you threatened in some way? Feeling a bit inadequate or ignored?
I think that we all battle with these kinds of ‘thorns’ and maybe they are in place to help us to get to know ouselves a little better. It’s difficult, but His Grace is sufficient.
Reflections on the Journey 
I find thorns are a nice way to know I need help from Godde and my friends 🙂
I find myself wondering about St. Paul’s thorn as well, although as you have astutely pointed out, our thorns can take many shapes and sizes.
God Bless you!
I find this one very hard to even think about.
Unfortunately it was a favourite quote from a priest who i worked alongside in youth ministry many years ago and who has since been convicted as a serial paedophile. His name was Fr. James (Jimmy) Robinson. Unbeknown to any of us he was shuffled from parish to parish and ended up escaping to the USA where he was finally confronted – a TV programme on him was the first time I became aware of what he had done.I was totally taken in by this man as were many others; a very charismatic and well liked priest.
Yes, he is still a thorn in my side even though I was not his victim; I knew those who were. So paradoxically your post has exposed a thorn in my side – because the memory of how I was convincingly duped by this man is hard to come to terms with.
Blessings
Oh yeah and a very big AMEN, I heartily agree. I always think in terms of Paul’s thorn being something physical but I know many people who have human thorns who God has placed there for a very important reason. Lori