I recently read a book entitled “The Thorn in the Flesh’ written by R. T. Kendall. It was an interesting read and was quite fascinating, educational, spiritual and uplifting. It got my adrenaline flowing as the more I read I wanted to read more and more. I was completely immersed in it. Hence my focus for this week’s article is a review of the said book.
The Author R.T. Kendall wants you to know that God gives us “thorns in the flesh” for our own benefit. Although on the other hand the devil sees them as an opportunity to destroy us. The Author believes that God has many ways of ensuring that while we enjoy His blessing, we do not become conceited or arrogant and think too highly of ourselves. His most powerful way of guaranteeing that blessing is a “thorn in a flesh.” Kendall also observes that God uses “thorn in the flesh “to keep us humble. It has the effect not only of protecting our anointing, but also increasing it. Based on the Kendall’s perspective, “a thorn in the flesh” is a severe form of disciplining that God uses to teach us a lesson. It is to note that C. S. Lewis referred to “thorn in the flesh” as “severe mercy.”
The Book elaborated on and helps to answer the following question:
What is the specific purpose of a” thorn in the flesh”?
Is there a prerequisite for “a thorn in the flesh”?
How does a “thorn in the flesh” help us from becoming conceited or full of ourselves?
How long does the a “thorn in the flesh” last?
The Author cited and elaborated on several possible “thorns in the flesh” – namely a handicap or disability, an enemy, unemployment or even unhappy employment, loneliness, unhappy marriage money, matters , an unwanted calling, personality problems, or chronic illness. The Author used biblical principles to argue his points. Additionally, Kendall also used The Apostle Paul as an example who was open to pride and to taking himself too seriously. Paul himself admitted that “God had to keep him from becoming too conceited, because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me “. The Author though candidly stated that it is not God’s intention for a “thorn” to kill us, but only to protect us from ourselves and to keep our focus on doing God’s Will, giving Him the glory.
The Author believes that your “thorn in the flesh” is for your good, and that it is the best thing that will ever happen to you – next to your conversion and anointing. No matter the uncomfortable situation we have to embrace “thorns in the flesh.” It is time for believers to accept that God has allowed life’s challenges and difficulties for a victorious purpose of humility and not for us to become too full of ourselves. Denial and repression will not change a thing, but knowing and recognizing God’s love will impact lives and turn negative attitudes into positive rewards.
My takeaways from the book include the following:
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” We all need money, but we need not worship it. Jesus says that we cannot worship two masters at the same time – God and money. Note that he did not mention the devil. The things that some people in position of authority and others, will do for a green dollar will amaze you. “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
A marriage relationship flourishes and grows from strength to strength when both partners love Jesus more than they love each other.
Satan works through our enemies to bring us down and prevent us from fulfilling our God given purpose. We have to be smart and skillful and never react in a manner that will grieve the
Holy Spirit. Then whatever it is will refine us, not defeat us. The Bible say that God will make your enemies your footstool. Know that enemies serve a worthwhile purpose. They keep us on our toes and to become what we were created to be. In fact, they help to bring and keep us closer to God to assume victory that is already had.
There are advantages in being alone and that God loves when we spend time with Him alone.
