Pain-Free, Problem-Free Life? Forget It!
2 Corinthians 12
KJV
7+ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
That every man has a “ thorn” ( or thorns) in his flesh is an undeniable fact, to live as to suggest that one has no problem is a delusion if not self -deception! None is free!
No matter how hard we try to live a problem- free life, there still remain challenges that we shall not be able to overcome ; these will remain with us till we give up our ghosts!
That none is free or immune to “thorns “is what you’ve read concerning Paul! A painful experience he narrates and you can imagine the mood , the look on his face as he pens those words. The same l also feel while writing this article!
During my days at the Bible school, we debated , read widely etc; with the view to knowing what exactly this “ thorn “ is! Some say he had a severe eye problem which was a worry to him! For their proof they refer to this verse; the word “ large” is assumed to mean large, bold etc; writing since he has sight challenges!
Galatians 6
KJV
11+ Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Others also said he was a hunchback , bow-legged, and a stammerer these affected his posture, walk and speech those who say these refer to this verse ;
2 Corinthians 10
KJV
10+ For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
No matter what the “thorns” are we are not told definitively , what we know is whatever they are they made life difficult for him! He was not without a daily “ headache, worry, pain etc”.
Beloved, there is never a day I wake without a worry, a pain ( mentally ) a problem, a fear , a struggle spiritually etc oh yes, these make some of my days very challenging, unpleasant and in some instances unenjoyable. Yes!
Every man has his “ thorns “ not “ thorn” as singular but “ thorns” plural. All these wear us down and places limitations on our fun, joy etc! There are times you may have before you your favorite dish but the appetite is not there ! A “thorn” has pierced or choked your throat . Yes!
One may ask, but what are the possible sources of these “ thorns?”The sources are many, some domestic, workplace, church , social relationships etc. These thorns makes it difficult for us to fly, they weigh us down !Yes truth be told.
Like Paul, we all do pray to be delivered from them , yes; some we are others remain just like that of Paul, there is nothing we can do about them. Ours therefore is to accept and live with them. Here the twi saying “ yè bè wû entî yeñ da?” becomes the slogan!
Since some of these “toxics” will always be with us the best we can do is to immunize ourselves with high dosage of the Word! No matter what the “thorn” is , please find a place and time to enjoy yourself! Do not attempt to carry as it were the “world” on your shoulders!
Remember when the disciples returned from one of their assignments the Lord asked them to find a place to relax ;
Mark 6
KJV
31+ And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
Beloved, there is no such thing like “ living a problem -free life” , as one philosopher said “ all life is problem solving “( Karl Popper)
A thought to share!