In the New Testament, Saint Paul speaks of a mysterious affliction, a discouraging and painful thorn in his side, “a thorn in the flesh,” which has intrigued theologians, scholars, and believers for centuries. This thorn is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, where Paul describes a persistent challenge or suffering that he endures. He writes:
“And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it should leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul doesn’t specify what his actual “thorn” was which leaves room for interpretation and discussion over the past two centuries. Was it a physical ailment, a psychological struggle, or perhaps a spiritual challenge? Perhaps it was a physical ailment that caused both a psychological AND spiritual challenge.
No matter what it was St. Paul’s description of the impact of his thorn has on his life allows us to see the thorn as a symbol for our own difficulties and weaknesses we all face in life. Just like Paul, we all have our own “thorns,” personal struggles that challenge us, frustrate us, and sometimes even threaten to overwhelm us. The question then becomes: how do we keep from being discouraged by these thorns?
Each of us carries burdens that, at times, feel like too much to bear. For some, a thorn might be a chronic illness or physical limitation. For others, it could be a mental health challenge like anxiety or depression, a difficult relationship, or a persistent sense of failure or inadequacy. Thorns can also manifest as ongoing temptations, spiritual doubts, or external circumstances that seem beyond our control. Our thorns can make sliding back to our “favorite” sins easier because they help cover up the pain.
It’s easier said than done but the first step to not being discouraged by your particular thorn and to recognize that they are a normal part of the human experience, especially so for those who are advancing in their spiritual maturity. The closer you get to God, the more Satan will twist that thorn of yours!
St. Paul’s thorn is a powerful reminder that no one is exempt from hardship. His reaction to his thorn provides a valuable lesson for all of us. Initially, he pleaded with God to remove it. This is a natural human response; when we face something painful or difficult, we want it to go away. However, God’s answer to Paul was not to remove the thorn but to reassure him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
This response from God is critical. It suggests that our weaknesses, the very things we might view as a source of shame and which we hide from the outside world, can actually be the means through which we experience most profoundly God’s strength and grace.
In a world that often prizes self-sufficiency, strength, and success, admitting weakness can feel counterintuitive. Yet, Paul chose to “boast” in his weaknesses, understanding that it was through these very weaknesses that God’s power could be most clearly demonstrated. When we are at our lowest, our most vulnerable, that is often when we are most open to receiving God’s help and the support of others.
Embracing our weaknesses doesn’t mean giving up or resigning ourselves to a life of defeat. Instead, it means acknowledging our human limitations and allowing those moments of vulnerability to draw us closer to God and to each other. It’s about shifting our perspective from seeing our thorns as purely negative to viewing them as opportunities for God to work in and through us.
We Catholics don’t do this very well, but we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). When we share our struggles with trusted friends, family, or members of our faith or Catholic business community, we often find strength and encouragement that helps us endure.
It’s easy to become discouraged when facing ongoing struggles or when it seems like our prayers for relief go unanswered. However, Saint Paul’s example teaches us to hold onto hope and to trust in God’s greater purpose, His plan for us , even when we don’t fully understand it.
