When we are young, we don’t see our weaknesses very well. If we go back to our teen years we may even recall feeling invincible. But our weaknesses seem to be ever before us as we age, don’t they? We all – young people, too – have “thorns” in our flesh. Some are from other people who harass us or persecute us; others are physical ailments or heartaches. Whether our “thorns” are sent directly by a messenger of Satan or are a result of our sin, they can be a severe but humbling load.


In one way or another, the toxic by-products of this sinful world affect us all. Like Paul, we want the things that hurt and vex us to go away. We lay our burdens before the Lord again and again. We begin to wonder if He is hearing us at all. As with Paul, sometimes the Lord’s answer to our plea is “No.” But it may be through this very hardship that the Lord is shaping us, causing us to truly understand along with Paul that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Hold on; He cares for you!