"... A thorn was given me in the flesh ..." 2 Corinthians 12:7, RSV

Paul had a problem. We don’t know what the problem was. We only know that Paul called it his "thorn in the flesh."

A thorn. Paul spoke of his limited humanity, his suffering, his weakness, his problem in terms of a thorn. How about your problems?

A thorn. Perhaps it was a sickness which Paul experienced. Some say it was epilepsy. Do you have a physical adversity which can help you turn in a deeper way to God and find grace to sustain you?

A thorn. Perhaps it was a psychological burden for Paul. Arguments with other Christians like Peter? Disappointment at John, Mark, or Barnabas? Loneliness when so many were too busy with "doing their own thing"? Have you felt any of these burdens?

A thorn. Perhaps it was some spiritu…