The “thorn in your side” in the Bible refers to a persistent hardship or weakness God allows for spiritual growth, humility, and dependence on His grace. While we may not know exactly what Paul’s thorn was, the passage teaches that God’s strength is often revealed most clearly in our weakness.

In this episode of Some Women, Angela, Jackie and Pat are joined by Mary Powell in a lively discussion of what it means to have a thorn in the side and personal experiences of carrying one. Mary has been a longtime Magnificat Ministry member and Servant Leader. She currently serves as the first voice to women inquiring about starting a Magnificat Chapter in their diocese and is a powerful intercessor on their behalves.

Why does God allow a thorn in your side?

That’s the hard question, isn’t it?

And if we’re honest, most of us don’t ask that question theoretically. We ask it because something hurts.

According to this passage—and the wisdom shared in this conversation—God may allow a thorn for several reasons:

1. To keep us humble

St. Paul had experienced extraordinary revelations. Without some kind of humbling limitation, he may have become spiritually prideful.

Sometimes our thorn reminds us:

• we are not self-sufficient
• we are not in control
• we are not God

And while that can feel painful, it is also deeply protective.

2. To keep us dependent on Him

Many of us only discover how much we need God when something in life stops “working.”

A diagnosis.
A betrayal.

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