"Paul had his thorn, so some sicknesses are God's will to keep us humble."
How it sounds in your head: When I pray for healing and don't see results, people remind me that even Paul had a 'thorn in the flesh' God wouldn't remove. Maybe my chronic condition is God's way of keeping me dependent on Him. Maybe some suffering is His tool for humility, and accepting it is more spiritual than fighting it.
"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure."
-- 2 Corinthians 12:7Source: religion - misinterpretation of 2 Corinthians 12:7 to justify passivity toward sickness and make God author of disease.
She's heard countless sermons using Paul's thorn to explain unanswered prayer for healing. If an apostle couldn't get healed despite asking three times, how can she expect healing? It gives theological permission to stop fighting and call surrender 'God's will.'
Satan afflicted him with boils, killed his children, destroyed his wealth. Job's friends blamed him, saying suffering was God's judgment. But God VINDICATED Job, called the friends wrong, and gave Job DOUBLE everything he lost - twice the wealth, ten more children, 140 more years of life. Full restoration, not permanent 'humility through suffering.'
I REFUSE the lie that God authors sickness to humble me. IT IS WRITTEN: 2 Corinthians 12:7 - Paul's thorn was a MESSENGER OF SATAN, not a gift from God. Jesus healed ALL, calling sickness 'oppression of the devil.' Job's suffering was Satan's doing, and God RESTORED double everything. IT IS WRITTEN: by His stripes I WAS healed. I am a branch in the Vine; sickness doesn't flow from Jesus. The BARAK blessing protected Abraham even when he LIED - it's not conditional on my humility but covenant promise. God's grace is sufficient to accomplish my purpose, not to keep me sick. I receive healing NOW.
The Father isn't making you sick to keep you humble - He's running toward you with the healing Jesus purchased, because a healthy daughter brings Him more glory than a sick one performing false humility while agreeing with the enemy's oppression.