What Paul says about his own pride-pummeling thorn therapy isn ’ t easy to hear . I ’ m sure as Paul penned the litany of pain , mistreatment , and hardship he had endured during his ministry ( see 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 ), the memories made him wince . Scars that deep never fully heal .
For the highly intelligent , greatly gifted , and deeply religious , pride is often the major roadblock in the path to maturity . But the Lord uses painful events and chronic suffering to mold us and fashion us into the image of His Son .
At times , God will use thorn therapy to make you aware of attitudes and behaviors in your own life that need to be changed . It may seem like He ’ s crushing you , but in reality He ’ s curing you . It may feel like He ’ s harming you , but He ’ s healing you . Let ’ s be brutally honest : it may look like He
hates you , but He loves you .
It may seem like He ’ s crushing you , but in reality He ’ s curing you .
You may be there right now — sensing a little thorn therapy from the Father . And for the first time in your life , you may realize that there is a holy purpose in it all . He ’ s calling you to attention and turning you away from yourself and toward His Son .
If your pain has brought you to your knees , I commend you to our loving Father . That ’ s the best place to begin the rest of your life . I invite you to call out to Him . Tell Him that your fight is over , that you willingly surrender .
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