The Preacher’s Pen

Thankful Because of Unexpected Blessings

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Series: Thankful Because(Sermon 3)

As we get closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, our hearts naturally turn toward blessings — remembering them, being thankful for them, and even sharing them. But blessings do not always come wrapped in joy. Sometimes they come through sorrow and difficult days.

The great hymn writer Fanny Crosby, when she was only six weeks old, lost her eyesight. Most people would say, “That’s awful — what a tragedy!” But for her, it was an unexpected blessing. She once said,

“It seemed intended by the blessed Providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for it.”

Fanny went on to write over 8,000 hymns, including Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine, where she declared, “Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.”

Today we turn to 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, where the Apostle Paul teaches us about unexpected blessings through his own life.

1. Paul’s Thorn

Paul said that a “thorn in the flesh” was given to him. We are not told exactly what it was — perhaps it was his eyesight (as hinted elsewhere in Scripture), perhaps nightmares from his days of persecuting Christians, or perhaps another physical or spiritual affliction. Whatever it was, it was deeply painful and persistent.

Even though Paul had written much of the New Testament, he still struggled with this one thing. Three times he asked God to remove it, but God said no — “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul responded,

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (v.9)

For many of us, that verse hits home. You have pains, problems, and difficulties that keep you up at night — and for some reason, God has not removed them. But perhaps your thorn keeps you close to God. Perhaps it keeps you praying. Perhaps it gives you the opportunity to share your testimony and encourage others.

It may be painful. It may be a thorn.
But out of it, God can give an unexpected blessing.

2. Job’s Loss

In the Old Testament, there was a man named Job — one of the best who ever lived. He was righteous, wealthy, and wise. He had seven sons, three daughters, and more livestock than anyone around.

Then in a single day, his cattle were stolen, his servants killed, his sheep consumed by fire, his camels taken — and worst of all, his children killed in a great wind. In one day, Job’s world completely changed.

Job tore his clothes, sat among the ashes, and was covered in painful boils. Even his not-so-spiritual wife said, “Curse God and die.” But Job remained faithful.

Through his pain, Job got to know God better. He learned the faithfulness of the Lord firsthand. And by the end of the book,

“The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

Maybe you’ve felt that same crushing loss — life changed in an instant.
But thank God, we serve a Lord who gives blessings when we need them most.

From the darkest days come the brightest blessings.
We can be thankful, like Job, because of unexpected blessings.

3. Joseph’s Pit

In Genesis, we meet Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. He had 11 brothers and a gift for dreaming. He dreamed that one day his brothers would bow before him — and they hated him for it.

They threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery, and told their father he was dead. Joseph was bought by Potiphar, rose to a position of trust, and then was falsely accused and thrown into prison.

Yet even in the pit and the prison, God was working. Joseph eventually interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, was elevated to second-in-command, and became the one through whom God would save nations.

When famine struck, his brothers came to Egypt for food — not knowing Joseph was the one in charge. Just as his dreams had foretold, they bowed before him. Joseph forgave them, saying,

“God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7)

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.” (Genesis 50:20)

Joseph’s pain had a purpose. His betrayal became a blessing. His pit became a platform.

Sometimes, God’s blessings are not possible without pain.
Joseph couldn’t reach the palace without the pit. His brothers couldn’t find restoration without the famine.

Everything bad you’re going through is not bad — God is using it for something unexpected in your life.

Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed at 17 after diving into the Chesapeake Bay. She wrestled with anger and depression, but in time saw God at work. She learned to paint by holding a brush in her teeth, wrote books, sang, and shared her story with millions.

She once said,

“Sometimes God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

That’s the heart of this message today —
Unexpected Blessings.

When life breaks us, God can still bless us, use us, and give us back more than we ever lost.

Reflection

Sometimes we only thank God for the things that make us smile — the full tables, warm homes, and answered prayers. But perhaps we should also thank Him for the thorns, the losses, and the pits that shaped our faith and kept us close to Him.

If your blessing hasn’t yet arrived wrapped in joy, trust that God is still working behind the scenes. One day, you’ll look back and say with Paul, “His grace was sufficient.”