From Thorns to a Testimony

Life often brings us struggles that we wish God would remove. For Paul, it was a “thorn in the flesh” that he pleaded with God to take away. Yet God responded not with removal but with grace, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul’s thorn became more than a source of pain; it became a platform for testimony.

This truth is echoed in Romans 8:28, which reminds us that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Our trials, thorns, and weaknesses may not make sense in the moment, but God redeems them for His purposes. What begins as a thorn can be transformed into a testimony that reveals His grace and power.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV)

God transforms our thorns into testimonies that reveal His grace and bring Him glory.

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Big Idea 1: Thorns Remind Us of Our Need for Grace

Paul’s thorn was not removed, even though he prayed fervently. Instead, God reminded him that grace is greater than relief. This teaches us that thorns are not punishments but reminders of our need for God’s sustaining presence. They keep us dependent on Him, aware of our limits, and anchored in His sufficiency.

In our own lives, thorns may come in the form of chronic struggles, unanswered prayers, or personal weaknesses. Rather than seeing them as obstacles, we can view them as opportunities to lean more fully on God. The thorn keeps us humble, drawing us closer to the One who never fails.

Grace meets us in the place of our weakness. When we stop fighting to prove our strength, we begin to rest in God’s strength. That shift turns the thorn into a reminder of His faithfulness.

Big Idea 2: Thorns Become Platforms for God’s Power

Paul declared, “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). His thorn became the very stage on which God’s power was displayed. Instead of hiding his weakness, Paul used it as a testimony of God’s sustaining grace.

When we allow God to work through our thorns, others see His strength at work in us. Our struggles become platforms for His glory. What we once saw as hindrances become testimonies of how God sustains, redeems, and empowers us. This is how Romans 8:28 comes alive: God takes what is painful and uses it for good.

Your thorn might not disappear, but it can point people to Christ. The question is not whether you have weaknesses but whether you will allow God to use them for His purposes.

Big Idea 3: Thorns Lead to Testimonies of Hope

A testimony is simply a story of God’s faithfulness. When we look back on our thorns, we can often see how God used them to shape us, strengthen us, or prepare us to encourage others. What once felt like a burden becomes a story of His grace.

The beauty of testimonies is that they not only strengthen our faith but also inspire others to do the same. When you share how God met you in your weakness, you give hope to someone else who feels alone in theirs. Your thorn becomes their encouragement. In this way, nothing in our lives is wasted; even our struggles become tools in God’s hands.

Romans 8:28 assures us that God is always at work, weaving even the thorns into a greater story. When surrendered to Him, every hardship can become a testimony of hope and grace.

Conclusion

The thorns we carry may never entirely go away, but they do not have to define us. Instead, they can become testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Paul’s thorn led him to boast in God’s grace, and our thorns can do the same. Through them, God reveals His strength, sustains us with His presence, and transforms our pain into purpose.

The next time you face a thorn, remember that it is not the end of the story. In God’s hands, the thorn becomes a testimony. What feels like a limitation today can become a platform for His glory tomorrow.

Action Step

Identify one thorn in your life that you have prayed for God to remove. Instead of asking only for its removal, ask God to use it for His glory and to transform it into a testimony of His grace.

“The greater the weakness, the greater the strength of the grace that upholds us.” – Charles Spurgeon

What thorn in your life has God turned into a testimony of His grace? Share your story in the comments to encourage others. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more devotionals and encouragement in your spiritual journey! If this post encouraged you, consider sharing it on your social media or reposting it on your blog to inspire others.

Prayer

Father, thank You for reminding me that even my thorns can be used for Your glory. Teach me to rely on Your grace when I feel weak and to trust that You are working all things together for good. May my thorn become a testimony of Your power and faithfulness. Amen.

It begins with Christ!

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Blessings,

Chad 

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