Last week I was pruning a tree for my mama. We thought it was a Bradford Pear tree but to my surprise I found out differently.

I took my chainsaw and trimmed the branches that needed to be removed and to my surprise this tree had thorns all over it. They were about two inches in length and sharp as a needle. I tried to be as careful as I could when removing the trimmed branches but eventually it happened. Yep, I got stuck right in my finger! One of the thorns got me.

Now I’ll confess it hurt and my fingertip was tender for a couple of days. You would never think that something that is sharp, sticks, hurts, and hinders you could become a blessing would you? But these thorns can be blessings in the spiritual sense.

We all are susceptible to getting prideful. It is possible for us to think we have reached the pinnacle of spiritual greatness. When this happens we have the “better than thou” attitude. We think we have all the answers and no one can give us advice because we already have it all figured out. We have a tendency to look down at everyone else because they are not as spiritual as we are. The Bible calls it being haughty and high-minded but let me remind you, God has a way of bringing us back down.

We are not to become puffed up with pride but rather we are to be humbled and abased. We are nothing more than one beggar telling another beggar where we found bread. In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul writes, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

The thorns of life are painful, they’re sharp and a lot of times they hinder our everyday activities for the purpose of keeping us humble before God. Please be reminded that God allows these thorns in our lives not for the purpose of punishment but rather for perfecting us. Paul goes on to ask the Lord three times to remove this from him. What I read in verse 9 has helped me through some dark days, “And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Next time you find yourself “stuck” by a sharp thorn in life, don’t fuss or focus on the thorn and the pain it brings. Instead look to Jesus and you will find God’s amazing grace will be sufficient. Until next week, God bless.

Join us at Victory Baptist Church on Sundays at 11:00 or tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.