The Benefit of Thorns

29 May

Re-visiting something written in 2011. 

ThornsDo you find yourself surrounded by a hedge of thorns? What kind of thorns make up your hedge? Unfulfilled dreams? Difficulties at work? Loss of job? Bad relationships? Poor health? Debt? Car troubles? Disappointments? Ridicule from those you wouldn’t call friends? Could it be something blocking you from doing what you want or need to do?

Their makeup can come from a variety of sources. Regardless of their source, however, thorns hurt. They can be prickly – just enough to smart, or they can be quite painful and totally ensnare you in their grasp.

But what if the thorns of life have a purpose that is of benefit to you? What if your thorns were the very instrument God used to cause you to evaluate your walk with Him, to call you into relationship with Him?

  • Could it be that your thorns are an indication of sin that was never fully confessed and forsaken? If that’s the case, your thorns will continue to trouble you until you deal with your sin (Numbers 33:55).
  • Could God be using the thorn to keep you humble as he did with Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7)? Is your importance worth missing out on the grace and power of God in your time of weakness (James 4:5-10)?
  • Could this thorn somehow be protecting you from seeking your own way and not the Lord’s (Hosea 2:6)? God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) and knows what is best for you at all times. He wants to use you to declare His glory (1 Peter 2:9). Would getting your way thwart His plan for you? Would you be settling for something good when you could have His best? Would your way diminish the influence you could have for Him?
  • Could God be calling you to a deeper relationship with Him by surrounding you with thorns? Would escaping their grasp keep you from knowing Him, fellowshipping with Him (Philippians 3:10), resting in Him (Matthew 11:28-30)?

Next time you feel hedged in by the thorny circumstances of life, don’t try to immediately hack your way out of them or get mad at their momentary discomfort. Let God search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24). Humble yourself under His hand (1 Peter 5:6). Set your will to follow Him (Matthew 26:39-44). Press on to know Him (Hosea 6:3), really know Him. Remove thoroughly what thorns you know are there by your doing, and let Him remove the rest in His way and in His time.

Let thorns be used to benefit your relationship and walk with the Lord. Doing so can make the pain and discomfort worth it all.

 

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