Lord, thank You for the thorn of
discouragement . . . for it makes me pour out my pain to You and seek Your help
because I need to know that You are walking through the hard times with me.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
losing control . . . because it reminds me of Who really controls everything
and it humbles me at Your feet.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
constant house problems that our beyond our ability to fix . . . for it keeps me on my knees before You
and prevents me from ever saying, “Look at what my hands have done.”
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
constant financial struggle . . . for it keeps me from “materialism” and
teaches me to be thankful for what we do have, for You did not need to even
give us that much.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
hand-me-downs . . . because it reminds me that “things” don’t really matter
anyway, nor do they define who I am.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of earthly
failure . . . for it reminds me to try to see things through Your eyes, to
remember that You see our hearts and judge our “success” differently than the
world does.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
wrinkles, aching joints, and prematurely silver hair . . . for it reminds me
that this life is so short and that I need to be planning for eternity, and it
encourages me to improve my attitude and outlook so that people see a beautiful
spirit and smile and not just my old-looking outside.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of an
aching heart . . . for it helps me notice the ache when I see it in others, and
it makes me want to reach out to them with a kind word or deed.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
attacks from the enemy . . . for it reminds me of my constant need to be in
communion with You, to seek righteousness, and to maintain my spiritual armor.
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
menial tasks that we have to do over and over again every day, with little
recognition or glory . . . for it reminds me that we are to be faithfully
obedient in everything, doing even
the smallest jobs to the best of our ability, for Your glory. Because You see what we do and why we do it,
and it matters to You. And You will
reward faithfulness in the end with, “Well done, good and faithful
servant.”
Lord, thank You for the thorn of
“prunings” . . . because I know that every time You prune something out of my
life (even if it hurts), it will be replaced with greater spiritual growth and
blessing.
Lord, thank You for the thorns . . .
for I am learning that Your grace is sufficient and that You are strongest when
I am at my weakest!
