That ‘thorn in the flesh’ that is loss

What if Paul’s thorn in the flesh were a loss; an event with lasting consequences that tormented him? So many times in our losses we’ve begged God to relent from the firestorm that rages upon our heart; that paroxysm of calamity that continues to dig into us like a bur. But, per Paul, God will not do it: “My grace is sufficient for you…”

God is [yes, present tense] inviting us into something deeper.

Day after day, at times hour after cringing hour, we seek God for a bargain — “Take it away, God, please… make the pain go away.” And yet, we find it doesn’t go. God doesn’t take it away.

God didn’t take it away from Paul,
but the Lord gave Paul something better.

We could wallow in drink or a drug, or take the heat out on others, or give up or run away; a million other things that run away from God.

We could do so many other things to sabotage our hope, because to sabotage our hope means we have given ourselves the right to destroy the remotest chance that virtuous work might win the day, eventually. We take the power of God out of our own hands and throw it away. “There, God; be away from me.” God says, “Suit yourself, but anytime you turn back, I’ll be here; just don’t leave it too late.”

Loss ruins so many who would be hopeful if only it didn’t require faith.

Loss is a thorn in the flesh that does not go away, until it does, and yet there will always be room for a little pocket of grief; a sacred memoriam that we learn to prize in acceptance.

If we’re then to hope on the wings of faith for some resolution to this thorn in our flesh we will need a fresh approach; so, let’s go to Paul.

Paul reasoned that it was the thorn itself that reminded him of the ever-prevailing power of God. The thorn brought Paul to weakness, as it does us.

The thorn brought Paul to his knees, continually, without mercy. But there was something utterly beyond it to be won.

And yet, Paul learned to boast in his infirmities. He learned that this biblical response was the only response that worked, even though it seemed the weirdest—and certainly the least rewarding—of all responses. Seemed.

The thorn that buried itself deep into our lives is there despite us, and yet despite its intention we are victors in spite of it. 

Only the gospel viewpoint would challenge our worldview to the point that it’s laughable. But that which makes the world laugh, makes the world pay attention when it starts working.

Loss is something that broadens us upon the eternal perspective. Suddenly our thinking cannot continue without being challenged. We’re brought to a crisis of mind and of faith for a reason. We’re undone to be redone.

If it wasn’t for the thorn in the flesh, Paul would never have known that power in loss that is perfected in weakness. If it wasn’t for that thorn in the flesh, Paul wouldn’t have known the fullness of power in loss; that resurrection power of God that comes when our laments don’t go away—a power that humbles so it can raise.

Photo by Vijendra Singh on Unsplash