Paul wrote, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). One example of imitating Paul was when he dealt with “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Paul does not say what this “thorn” was, but he surmised that God allowed it as an antidote to pride. In the Old Testament, “thorn” was used to describe the Canaanites who irritated the Israelites when they moved into Canaan (Numbers 33:55-56). Perhaps Paul’s thorn was a false apostle trying to undermine his ministry in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Whatever the thorn was, Paul asked God three times to remove it. Instead of removing the problem, God gave Paul grace to endure it and to manifest Christ’s strength in his own human weakness.

If you are in a moment of weakness that God is not solving, imitate Paul by relying on God’s grace to give you strength.

Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise.
Matthew Henry