I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
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." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The 'thorn in the flesh' as mentioned by Paul was speculated to have several possibilities. A view claimed it to be an actual physical illness perhaps his eyes (Gal 4:13-15) or his back (Luk 13:11 - the same word in greek was used) Another put forth a theological position, citing it to be man-centeredness and Sin, perhaps one that Paul was more prone to commit. Humans all have their snares when a desire is executed to its extremes, and in Paul's case, covetousness?( Rom7:7-8) The last view which I feel more inclined towards is that it was an emotional distress which had arised from the hardships, persecution and calamities of the gospel. Whatever the thorn is, it is clear that it has inflicted pain upon Paul, and Paul has acknowledged the reason for its occurence - to keep him from being conceited.
And likewise, ministry and the Christian life will have 'thorns'. Be ita physical, mental or emotional one, the very reason for thorns to exist is so that we who serve Him can be humbled. The desires of a smooth-sailing ministry and perfect life situations that require no stress in making christian decesions are defintely longed of by anyone who wants to live the Christian life. Why can't people respond the way they should? Why can't our proneness to sin just be curbed? Why can't people around be more encouraging? - the intent of all the difficulties, is so that we won't exalt ourselves, so we may rely on Him.
Like Paul, we might cry to the Lord to take it away from us. But God did not do so for Paul. He simply answered that his grace was sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness.
And I realised - an understanding of the gospel and Jesus Christ is enough to bring us through difficulties and weaknesses. A right perspective of Christ is strength enough. If one feels unjusitified and angered, look to the insults and suffering that Christ had to bear. If one feels physically tired and weak, look to the work on the Cross. If one is feels emotionally distressed and lost, look to the rejection that Christ had to bear when God placed the entirety of Mankind's sins on Him...
I guess that I shouldn't expect the people responses, situations or circumstances to be in anyway favourable. And while knowing so, even when I am facing the more obvious difficulties - not to expect that I should tackle them through people's encouragements in words or actions, inspiring songs and musing-it-out. Yes, sincere encouragements from the body of Christ would be great, songs and inspirational articles are good reminders and musing-it-out does apply relief when I finally position myself bibically. But ulimately - I do not depend on these to carry on. My reliance lies in Christ alone for He is the one that will grant the strength.
Indeed, His power is made perfect in weakness, because its through weakness that we can truly experience the power of Christ.
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