Trust the Lord With the Thorns in Your Life

Most of us have a thorn or two in our lives, some perhaps have many. Like the Apostle Paul, we’d rather be rid of them, but also like Paul, the Lord may not agree, instead assuring us that His “grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 9b). And which Christian doesn’t want Christ’s power? 

Truly, it’s hard to move forward when we are weak and weary from battling on. But no matter the intensity of the situation, we can feel safe to trust the Lord for many reasons:

• Nothing touches our lives that doesn’t first go through Him. 
• He loves us with an everlasting love. 
• He created us and knows everything about us. 
• He knows all that was, is, and is to come. 
• He is with us through it all. 

It's hard to move forward when we are weak and weary from battling on. But no matter the intensity of the situation, we can feel safe to trust the Lord for many reasons. Click To Tweet

The very nature of God gives us hope despite the thorns that plague our lives, so we can pray…

The very nature of God gives us hope despite the thorns that plague our lives, so we can pray... #trustGod #prayer Click To Tweet

Trust the Lord—A Prayer

Lord, this is not the life I would have scripted for myself. I would have cleared my path of thorns, those circumstances that hurt. But just because the thorns inflict pain doesn’t mean they won’t be used for good, does it? You have a plan for it all, a plan that will benefit me for eternity.

You are good, infinite, almighty, holy, and merciful. You are all-loving, all-just, and all-wise. I know You see my tears. I know You hear my groans. And I know You are near me through it all, helping me carry the load and bear the pain.

Even more comforting, though, is that I know all I’m experiencing has been sifted through Your fingers first. So I’ll trust You with this difficult, yet blessed life, this jagged-edge beauty. I’ll cry with the pain and then let You dry my tears. I’ll scream in frustration and sorrow and then sing Your praises as You wrap me in Your grace. With Your help, I’ll accept the bitter and enjoy the sweet. I’ll lean into the joy Your presence brings.

O, Lord, Your faithfulness breathes life into these dry bones. Your presence puts a song in my heart, even through the hard days. I won’t pretend to like all that comes my way, but may my love and trust for You ever grow, and may my life ultimately bring You glory. In the precious, holy, and loving name of Jesus, Amen.

Reflections: What tools/actions do you use to trust the Lord during the hardest seasons?

By His grace ≈

Julie