CURRENT SERIES: NEW BEGINNINGS

DAY 33: START THANKING GOD FOR THE THORNS IN YOUR LIFE

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

On the farm in the Free State where I grew up, as children we often played barefoot outside during summer. A problem however arose when we wanted to venture into the field and our path was suddenly obstructed by thorn bushes on the ground. In this case, we had to either head back home to fetch shoes in order to walk over the thorns or we had to rely on someone with shoes to pick us up and carry us over the thorns to where we could walk with ease.

In life, our path might sometimes be obstructed by thorn bushes – or even worse, it might feel as if thorns are stuck in our flesh. The thorns come in the form of a difficult spouse, an illness which steals your joy, a desire for a baby of your own, a financial difficulty or a challenge at work.

Have you noticed what happens in the midst of these challenging times? We often run back to God. We pray more desperately as we realize that only God can give us a breakthrough. And when we receive the breakthrough, we thank God and witness to the people around us that God indeed answered our prayers. The truth is: Thorns draw us closer to God and help us to discover His love and care for us.

Paul also experienced a thorn in his flesh. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 he wrote: “So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’”

What are the thorns obstructing your path today? Remember, God can pick you up and carry you through your challenge. He can put shoes on your feet and ease your pain. Let us therefore thank Him for the thorns. You might just look back upon this time in your life and realize that you truly discovered God’s incredible love for you in a new way. God bless.

Father God, thank you for Your ability to sort out every challenge in my life. Help me to completely rely on you for a breakthrough as I discover your love for me in a new way. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

** BOOK LAUNCH OF WYSHEID, OORDENKINGS UIT SPREUKE by Benescke Janse van Rensburg: Saturday, 25 February 2012, Bellville. For more information, contact Karin at 021 949 7419 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a motivational speaker, freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories van mense and also Wysheid, oordenkings uit Spreuke.