‘He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9
We all face a thorn (or more) in our lives. Be it a thorn of another person, a temptation or sin, a time of life, we all have thorns to deal with.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I meditate upon it often and God has brought it to mind many times to help me see clearly in the moment.
I know my thorns. I’ve asked God many, many times to remove this thorn from my life. I’ve talked to my spiritual directors and confessors for help to remove it. But, it remains. A soul can look at the thorn as an irritant. A soul could become so centered upon the thorn that it becomes the focus of the soul’s life. Like having a rash, the more you think about it, the more it itches. The more it itches, the more you scratch. The more you scratch, the more irritated it becomes and the more you think about it. A circular cycle focused upon the issue. Scratch too much and it becomes infected.
The soul never loses sense of the thorn’s presence. But, the thorn can not become the center of focus or all else disappears. Instead, the thorn must drive the soul to focus upon God more. Give glory to God in the thorn, for the thorn not despite of it. The thorn is placed by God to focus the soul upon higher thought spiritually. If God doesn’t remove the thorn when the soul prays and even begs God to remove it, it means simply the thorn has further purpose and value to the soul.
“One act of trust at such moments gives greater glory to God than whole hours passed in prayer filled with consolations.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 78
In a thorn of temptation or sin, it may be to strengthen the soul to fight for purity. Or, to draw the soul again and again to God’s Divine Mercy. A thorn of dire struggle may be to teach to soul humility or simply to trust God. When dark, challenging days dig the thorn deeper, it may be to get the soul to turn to God in prayer.
Never stop asking God to remove the thorn from your side but accept it as a way to draw closer to God. Even a sin can be good IF it draws the soul to God’s Mercy. Trust God! When He doesn’t remove the thorn, trust God more. He never challenges us more than we can handle. If the thorn seems to big to handle, it’s simply God’s way of showing you your strength is more than you think.
“Once when I was being crushed by these dreadful sufferings, I went into the chapel and said from the bottom of my soul, “Do what You will with me, O Jesus; I will adore You in everything. May Your will be done in me, O my Lord and my God, and I will praise Your infinite mercy.” ….. I see that God never tries us beyond what we are able to suffer. Oh, I fear nothing; if God sends such great suffering to a soul, He upholds it with an even greater grace, although we are not aware of it.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 78
“O my Lord, inflame my heart with love for You, that my spirit may not grow weary amidst the storms, the sufferings and the trials. You see how weak I am. Love can do all.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 94