Wednesday, November 17 I was given a thorn in the flesh.​—2 Cor. 12:7.

[Áine]

Wednesday, November 17

I was given a thorn in the flesh.—2 Cor. 12:7.

 

The apostle Paul was saying that he faced a painful personal trial of some sort. He called this trial “an angel of Satan” that kept “slapping” (“beating,” ftn.) him. Satan or his demon angels may not directly have caused Paul’s trials, as if driving a thorn into his flesh. But when those wicked spirits noticed the “thorn,” they may have been eager to push it in deeper, so to speak, to increase Paul’s pain. What did Paul do? At first, Paul wanted to be rid of the “thorn.” He admits: “Three times I begged the Lord [Jehovah] . . . that it would depart from me.” Yet, despite Paul’s prayers, the thorn in the flesh remained. Does this mean that Jehovah did not answer Paul’s prayers? Not at all. He did answer them. Jehovah did not remove the problem, but he did give Paul the strength to endure it. Jehovah said: “My power is being made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8, 9) And with God’s help, Paul was able to maintain his joy and inner peace!—Phil. 4:4-7. w19.11 9 ¶4-5

[Vinnie]

No one likes to have a thorn in the flesh. The Apostle Paul had so much work to do and so much he wanted to do, that he didn't want anything to hold him back. But as in Paul's case, it kept him humble, it kept him turning to Jehovah for the needed help and strength to continue on. As painful as it is to have a thorn in the flesh, may it never make us bitter towards all that Jehovah is doing for us as we wait on him patiently.

[Tortuga]

I think it's interesting that Paul says that he begged three times. Why only three times? Why wasn't this constantly in his prayers? Why does he remember how many times he did pray for it to go away?

[Dustparticle]

7 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

I think it's interesting that Paul says that he begged three times. Why only three times? Why wasn't this constantly in his prayers? Why does he remember how many times he did pray for it to go away?

Maybe after the 3rd time, Jehovah respond to him. Just my guess.

[careful]

the way i understand it is that after the third time praying, he got his answer...he said god had said my undeserved kindness is sufficient for you....so he had no need to keep asking.

[daydream]

At first, Paul wanted to be rid of the “thorn.” He admits: “Three times I begged the Lord [Jehovah] . . . that it would depart from me.” Yet, despite Paul’s prayers, the thorn in the flesh remained. Does this mean that Jehovah did not answer Paul’s prayers? Not at all. He did answer them. Jehovah did not remove the problem, but he did give Paul the strength to endure it. Jehovah said: “My power is being made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8, 9) And with God’s help, Paul was able to maintain his joy and inner peace!—Phil. 4:4-7.