"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. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
God Allowed It
Whatever the thorn is in your flesh know that God allowed it. If there were no thorns, we'd become self-glorifying when God shows us favor. He allows thorns in our flesh so that we don't become lovers of our self. God said His Grace is sufficient. He wants us to depend on Him not our abilities. When a thorn is given you in the flesh, it is to humble you for reasons that only God knows. He said "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). In the Book of Jeremiah, 17:9-10, it tells us “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. God knew before you were born how you'd handle His anointing, and He still knows. Yet He uses us for His good and Glory. Nothing we have done or can do to earn His Grace and Mercy "No, it's nothing good that you've done, no record for decency that you've built up, that got you here; it's because of the vile wickedness of these nations that God, your God, is dispossessing them before you so that he can keep his promised word to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.(Deuteronomy 9:5). It is God's plan that we go through. Jesus did it. We are to also; suffer with Christ. So "...do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Take up Your Cross and Own It
With the help of God's Holy Spirit we can, like the Apostle Paul, take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake. He will make you strong in your weakness (2Corinthians 12:10). So there is no room for boasting because when the Lord does it you will know. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Matthew 16:24-28).
God Loves Us
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17). And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness ... (2 Corinthians 12:9)
