Many times, individuals have a negative perspective as it relates to thorns. Prior to receiving roses from someone, most people would prefer that the thorns be removed. This is understandable as nobody really wants to be pricked by a thorn! However, most people may not realize that, had it not been for the thorns, they probably would not have beautiful roses to view, smell, and enjoy! Thorns or prickles on roses are modified leaf stems that were designed by God to help keep predators such as deer and other wildlife away from the roses. Rose plants are tasty to deer and other wildlife, but the thorns help keep the roses from being eaten up by them! In other words, thorns can be purposeful!
Just as God designed thorns to be purposeful in protecting roses from wildlife, he also allows thorns to serve a divine purpose in our lives! In 2nd Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he begged God to remove. This was not the type of thorn that is on a rose, but rather an issue in his life. After repeatedly pleading with God to remove the thorn, the Lord made it clear that he would not remove it from Paul because the thorn was serving a divine purpose in Paul’s life to help keep him humble before God (2nd Corinthians 12:7). Sometimes, things that appear to be bad to us could very well be good for us! It is possible that, even our thorns in life can be a blessing for us in disguise!
