Many theories on what Paul's thorn in the flesh might have been. I'd like to show you what I believe based on the Bible, it may have been and why you might have one too. If so, what do you do about it? For some, reading this, you may be saying, "What is he talking about, a thorn in the flesh?" (a bit of theology today)
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 2 Corinthians 12:7
Paul had spent deep times with the Lord, even had gone to heaven, in this process he had been given a great abundance of things from the Lord. "Abundance" meaning a great amount and a great depth of meaning and insight into the things of God.
He had been given so much so that he felt he had been "exalted above measure." This phrase means he had been greatly promoted, given a high level of prestige, honored beyond measure. Paul was given the privilege of seeing, grasping, and understanding deep into the heart of God. We have been given the privilege of understanding these things too as we read his letters. Paul's letters and his life adventures that we read about in Acts, reveal to us all the depth that was given to him.
The word translated "thorn" here means the type of spike used to put a decapitated head on. The messenger of Satan wanted Paul's head on a spike. Paul was sharing the powerful insight into the heart of God that had been revealed to him. Please notice the thorn was sent by Satan, not God. There is no evidence anywhere in the Word, and it would be against God's nature for Him to reveal something and then want to suppress it at the same time. Messenger commonly refers to a spiritual being like an angel or in this case demonic force.
Paul stated this messenger was sent to "buffet" him. This means to continually be pounded on with fists. I shared with you many of the things Paul went through, beatings, imprisonment, stoning, being whipped as well as betrayal, and persecutions of other kinds.
The enemy was upset that Paul was given insight into the Lord that would set more and more people free from his grasp. So he sent those from outside the church who would persecute him, and he stirred up the flesh of people inside the church that would fail him and stand against him. This constant buffeting has more validity in scripture to defining Paul's "thorn in the flesh"than there is evidence that he had some kind of physical or other spiritual maladies. Paul prayed for this harassment to end, but God's word to him was "my grace is sufficient for you!" Paul kept going, and because of that, we have the insight and depth of the Father's heart that was revealed to him, through both his words and actions in the New Testament.
Think about it. Do you have a thorn in the flesh? If you are growing in God, becoming daily who the Lord has called you to be, others flesh and the enemy will stand against you. Don't become complacent, fearful, or overwhelmed! God has called you! He has given you a unique purpose. He has revealed to you, truth, that you can share with others, in a particular way. Don't give in to the messengers of Satan, don't get frustrated, angry, or fearful. "My grace is sufficient for you, and My power is perfected in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9 Keep changing the world, allow nothing to stop you. Paul didn't!
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