In our text, we find the Apostle Paul sharing a very intimate part of his life with us. He is telling us how he had something to bear, which was painful and humbling. And how he had been helped to overcome it. Nobody knows exactly what this thorn was. All that is known is that it took God to overcome it. Paul’s thorn was painful enough to hinder his peace of mind and possibly destroy him. Paul is not the only one who has a thorn in the flesh; we all do. And that's what we want to consider--- “Our Own Thorns.”

There are many kinds of thorns that must be faced in our “day to day” living. There are thorns of heartaches, handicaps, and family troubles. Whatever it is, every one of us, in some way or another, has some sort of thorn or handicap, which takes away from our happiness. And, let’s face it---we're human. If we had our own way, we would never suffer pain or heartache. We would never want any difficulties or dark clouds to move into our lives. We would want a complete bed of roses; from the time we were old enough to know right from wrong, to the time we die. All of these feelings are human. We are all going to feel this way at one time or another.

Why Thorns?

None of us want to have trials or tribulations, but we know that life is not that way. We believe every person, sooner or later, comes to realize that life is a struggle. Life has its difficulties, but the question that we want to deal with is: What are we going to do with our thorns in the flesh? What are we going to do with that particular thing that is causing us difficulty?

In Revelation the 12th chapter, we read about the woman, Christianity, overcoming the dragon, paganism (Pagan Rome). Finally paganism was cast down to the earth. But the devil doesn't take defeat sitting down. Revelation 12:12, says, “…Woe to the inhabiters [people] of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

Do we know why we in America see so much evil among us today? Why do we have one of the most severe social problems---a homosexual revolution? Why are we confronted with a teenage, rebellious revolution?

Do we know why our nation is being run over by sin, sex, and sodomy? Do we know why the sacredness of home life and the sanctity of some of the more important things of life are being destroyed in our nation? It is because the devil knows that he has only a short time.

Therefore, he is coming at the church (the family of God) with great wrath. He is coming at people who are professing to live for God, people who are taking a stand for the principles of God’s eternal Word. The minute we take a stand for God, the devil is after us with great wrath.

Do we know why television, radio, and magazines are saturated with sin, sex, and anarchy? The devil knows he has but a short time. He is going out of this world in a blaze of sadistic glory. But if we were to listen to most of the radio ministers on the air, you would think that America was in the midst of a great, Christian revival. Do we know who's having revival today? The devil! He's having revival in America.

True Christian Revival...

True Christian revival can only be found among people who obey, live and preach God's eternal Word. Wherever God's Word is Esteemed and Honored, there you will see and experience true Christian revival!