What do you mean, I have to go through hardships?

Yes, this is a fact, dear brothers and sisters - the Christian walk is not a rose garden pathway - or is it? Let's see, yes, there is much beauty to behold on our pathway. Yes, there are the sweet fragrances around of praises, worship and fellowship with other belivers. Oh, yes, there they are . . . those little prickly things that can jump out and bite you so hard that you bleed - THORNS!

Let us focus on those thorns - what purpose do they really provide? (My husband's theory on this is wonderful, let me share it with you . . . "God knew that the rose was so beautiful that it needed to be protected." - isn't that great?!)

Remember it is thorns that pierced the loving brow of our Savior. Remember it is for a "hedge of protection" that we pray for over our loved ones. But what purpose do the thorns in our rose garden of life serve? Take a look at Acts 14:22, "strenghtening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." this is where Paul and Barnabas know that they have to go on, and that there are many "thorns" in their pathway, but still they will go on.

How can we, like them, continue on the path knowing that there will be "thorns" of trouble, "thorns" of discouragement, "thorns" of pain, "thorns" of ____ fill in the blank? By focusing on WHO is in control! Remember the Lord encouraging His followers in John 16:33! "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Dear ones, this is not just a statement to encourage His followers then, it is a promise to all of us who follow Him today - even in the midst of a rose garden path that seems to have more thorns than roses, remember that in Him you can have that "peace that passes ALL understanding", and take a moment to actually smell the roses in your life. So, let those "thorns" not stop you on your journey, but help you step more carefully. There is beauty there, there is a lovely aroma there . . . look up to the Father, grab hold of His hand as you walk through the thorns, you will see the beauty!

(c)kle

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