Beyond the Thorn
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me 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.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIV)
1, 2, or 3 – I’ve seen each number in the hundreds place on the scale. For years, my first thought as I get out of bed is to weigh myself. I vowed a 3 will never be in the hundreds place again. Now the battle wages between the 1 and 2 – the thorn in my side.
Related Post: Faith, Fat, & Fitness
Over twenty years ago I had gastric bypass surgery. I will be bold enough to say it was one of the best days of my life. I have waged war against my weight since I was a child. I have fought many battles with diet, exercise, and the raging torment within my mind. By the time I was thirty, the 3 had taken its prominent place on the scale. It was a terrifying moment for this short Italian girl.
I declared victory on the day of my surgery. Even though I felt victorious, I knew I would have to remain vigilant to hold on to the victory. I wish I could go back to that first year. My mind finally had freedom from the battle. The surgery helped my body take over the work my mind had desperately tried to accomplish.
A Thorn in the Flesh
In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul describes a thorn in his side. He prayed for God to take it away. God’s answer was, “No, my grace is sufficient.” We all have a thorn in our side. My thorn continues to poke me. The surgery allowed me a victory, but the war raged on.
Today I have maintained a 100lb weight loss. No matter how often I prayed, God said, “My grace is sufficient.” I need God daily for the strength to wage the war. With His strength, I have never given up the fight. My battle now – the delicate balance between the 1 and 2.
Related Post: Lose Weight & Other Insecurities that Rob Us of God’s Promises
My question is whether I’m so used to the thorn that I no longer feel it. Have I moved so far beyond the thorn I no longer rely on God and believe He has the power to take away the thorn? (He can still decide to take it away.) Have I moved so far beyond I no longer acknowledge His grace?
What My Thorn Is Teaching Me
My thorn reminds me to pray continually.
It reminds me that I would be nothing without God and need His grace.
My thorn also reminds me of God’s power to remove it and give me the flower.
Yet, if I am so used to the thorn and no longer pray for its removal, the flower may never bloom.
Jesus died with a crown of thorns upon His head. My thorn was among them. Let’s not forget Jesus’ crown of thorns turned into our salvation.
God’s Grace is Sufficient
Whether Jesus takes it away or gives me the strength to carry on in battle, I know He died with my thorn and brought it into eternity with Him. I don’t want to move so far beyond the thorn relying on my strength, that I forget my strength comes from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God’s grace is sufficient.
Jesus claimed victory upon the cross. All it takes is our faith in Jesus Christ to claim victory. One day all our thorns will be the breathtaking flowers of heaven.
Related Post: Thistles and Thorns
Related Resource
Are You Believing a Lie?
Throughout this book, Christian women share their stories of how they have struggled with body image lies and a distorted view of themselves. However, each of their stories also contains hope – the hope of replacing these lies with God’s truth. Our prayer for you is that you find encouragement within these pages and allow Christ to transform you with His truth.
