The Thorn in God's Providence: Embracing Trials, Finding Strength

The Thorn in the Hand of God's Providence

Have you ever experienced a moment in life where the path you thought was leading to a beautiful flower suddenly turns into a thorn? It can be disheartening when our prayers seem unanswered and our hopes deferred. In these moments, it feels like the pencil of God's providence is sketching a picture that we don't quite understand.

One such story that captures this struggle is the marriage of C.S. Lewis to Joy Davidman. They entered into marriage later in life, with the shadow of Joy's cancer hanging over them. They fervently prayed for healing, and to their surprise, Joy miraculously recovered. The love they thought they were losing came back to them, seemingly a gift from a healing God.

But just as quickly as joy entered their lives, the cancer returned with a vengeance, ultimately ending their brief time together. In the depths of his grief, Lewis penned these words, "A noble hunger, long unsatisfied, met at last its proper food, and almost instantly the food was snatched away." It was a painful reminder that what seemed like a answered prayer was taken away.

This story serves as a reminder that even in the midst of answered prayers, there can still be thorns. It's a reality we often struggle to comprehend, but it is one that the Bible speaks to. In fact, the Bible is filled with stories of individuals who faced trials and tribulations despite their faithfulness and prayers.

The Thorn of Paul's Life

One biblical example that comes to mind is the apostle Paul. He was a devoted follower of Christ, spreading the gospel and planting churches. Yet, he faced numerous hardships and challenges throughout his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of a thorn in his flesh, a constant reminder of his weakness. He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it, but God's response was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Paul's thorn was a reminder that even in the midst of his faithful service, he would still face difficulties. It was a reminder that God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Instead of removing the thorn, God used it to teach Paul the value of relying on His grace and strength.

Finding Comfort in God's Sovereignty

When faced with thorns in our lives, it can be tempting to question God's goodness and sovereignty. We may wonder why He allows suffering and pain, especially when we have fervently prayed for relief. However, we can find comfort in knowing that God is in control and that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). We may not always understand why He allows thorns to remain, but we can trust that He has a purpose and a plan. Just as He used Paul's thorn for His glory, He can use our thorns to shape us, strengthen us, and draw us closer to Him.

Embracing the Thorn

Instead of resenting the thorns in our lives, we can choose to embrace them. Just as a gardener prunes a rose bush to encourage growth and blooming, God uses thorns to prune and refine us. He uses them to shape our character, deepen our faith, and teach us valuable lessons.

When we embrace the thorns, we allow God to work in and through us. We experience His grace and strength in ways we never thought possible. We become more compassionate, more empathetic, and more reliant on Him. Our thorns become a testimony of God's faithfulness and a reminder of His sustaining grace.

Conclusion

In this journey of life, we will inevitably encounter thorns. They may come in the form of unanswered prayers, unfulfilled hopes, or unexpected difficulties. However, we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us in the midst of the thorns. He uses them to shape us, refine us, and draw us closer to Him.

So, as we face the thorns, let us remember the words of the apostle Paul, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Let us embrace the thorns and trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness. And let us hold onto the hope that one day, all thorns will be removed, and we will behold the beauty of the eternal flower in the presence of our loving Savior.