The apostle Paul learned that in his weakness God’s strength was manifest. God didn’t take the thorn away. Instead God offered Paul the assurance that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Our hope is not so much the removal of our thorn but divine strength at the very time we need it. That’s not much comfort on the one hand—I want relief from the incessant criticism—but on the other, the promise of strength from God means