Removing Life’s Thorns

Seasonal change: Paul Shippey

Whenever I feel reluctant to check the evening news on television because I’m tired of soaring rocket trails, innocent people trudging through the rubble they once called “home,” and close-ups of would-be political leaders just as confused and desperate as we feel, I never hesitate to turn to the wisdom of Jill Briscoe’s columns “Telling the Truth.”

For example, recently she focused on a conversation with a friend of hers about the way adversity, or, if you like, life’s thorns, compel us to trust God.  But how do we learn dependence once the thorn is out? If we feel strong and confident apart from God, watch out! Yet all of life will not necessarily be one long chapter of accidents, says Briscoe.

What about the times we find ourselves between thorns? To depend even when the sun shines is a test of our maturity, during which prayer reminds us of our human inadequacy, which persuades us to lean on the Lord. (see 2 Corinthians 12). 

Deep and earnest prayer, Briscoe adds, helps us to stop saying “Wow is me,” and makes sure we say “Woe is me!” Physical thorns should keep us  in constant dependence on the spirit of  God to make good His strength in our weakness, so that we glory in His power and never in our own strength, as we watch the thorns disappear.