Many of us deal with pain every day, thorns, if you will. They might be physical, emotional, or a combination. Whatever the problems are, they can often cause us to be discouraged or even fall into depression.
Everyone has thorns No matter what shape or size Trials hit us all
Grief, a thorn like knives Digging deep into my soul Doesn’t want to leave
Chronic achiness Throughout my body pulsing Tries to keep me down
Friends who suffer pain Wishing for relief to come Through the day and night
Some thorns come again Cancer returns with vengeance On one who was cured ~gsw~
NAVIGATING THROUGH THE THORNS
How do we navigate our way through the thorns? Do we just grit our teeth and push on? Or do we fall into a puddle of tears on the floor?
Do we decide to accept it as normal and live as best we can? Where do we find help?
My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge.Selah
Simple Helps for Some Thorns
Photo taken from my front porch.
There is nothing wrong with tears. They are often cleansing as we pour out our miseries with them. Tears show that we feel emotions. We are human. Those thorns hurt! Sometimes our tears show empathy with someone else.
Sometimes we can find simple things to relieve some of the pain of our thorns. Eating healthy foods, exercising – even minimally, drinking plenty of water, getting rest and sunshine. All these can help us physically, which in turn helps us emotionally. Or, we may need some type of medicine or supplement.
We can also read to find information that may help us. Sometimes we need a good book or short story to pull us out of our doldrums. Or listening to music that lifts us up. Stopping throughout the day to take a deep breath — and relax, looking for beauty and other ways to cheer. These can help us physically and emotionally.
When Nothing Helps the Thorns
But what if we have tried everything we can think of and still have no relief. Maybe even doctors have given up on finding a cure. Is there anywhere to turn? We don’t need quick fix answers or exhortations to just have faith. That just puts more burdens on people already stressed almost to their limit. Sometimes there is no remedy or miracle, but that doesn’t mean our faith isn’t strong enough.
God doesn’t always heal in this life. Jesus didn’t heal everyone when He was on earth. There is something we can do for all types of thorns that poke and scratch and hurt us. We may not find a lot of relief in the pain. But we can find peace and know that Someone understands.
Jesus suffered, too A crown of thorns pierced His head His blood flowed freely
Died a cruel death But the grace could not hold Him He rose with power
Conquered death and hell Opened heaven’s doors to us Whom He calls by name
Jesus knows our pain Feels sorrow when we suffer Comforts through His word ~gsw~
Comfort, Grace and Hope
Jesus promised to be with us always on this journey of life. Even when people can’t or won’t help, He is the One who never gets tired of our pleas.
Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.
Fear Doesn’t Triumph Over Love
There is a lot of fear generated these days. Whether or not you have Covid-19, it affects all of us. With social distancing, online learning, online churches streaming services, etc., we all feel the strain.
But there is also a lot of love and care being shown not only by medical staff, but also teachers, parents, children, and many others as we navigate these new waters. In these trying times, let’s all look for creative ways to bring cheer to someone. Showing love to each other is a good place to start.
One of my thorns is grief, but God comforts. A beautiful sunset met us at home after my son’s funeral. I took a photo of it and then painted my interpretation of it, which you see in the photo below.
CHRIST CONQUERED DEATH
In this life we will have pain and our last thorn to face will be death. But praise God, He has conquered death so it is not the end. It is a passageway to our new life with Him.
Death will come to all Though the way may be painful A new life awaits We will meet our Lord All our thorns will disappear And we will be free Until then we wait Trusting in our gracious Lord Who gives joy and peace ~gsw~
How do you find ways to cope with your thorns? What ways can you think of to share love and hope with others? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
16 thoughts on “Thorns: Living with Pain and Finding Help”
Oh Dear Gayl,
Thank you for sharing such precious thoughts here. Your poem is so beautiful as it moves through so many different ways that thorns can bring pain. And I was moved to tears at the precious thought that in Heaven all those thorns will finally be over. They will have accomplished their final purposes, and we will be so free with Jesus. Your beautiful painting of the comforting sunset that God gave you after son’s funeral is such a blessing. May He continue to bring you such comfort whenever that thorn feels too painful to bear. Sending much love and hugs dear sister/poet/friend. xoxo
Dear Bettie, as always, you are so encouraging to me with your comments. Thank you for being here and for praying for me and being such a good friend. Much love to you with hugs and blessings my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxoxo
Thank you so much, Hadassah! I’m glad you found it comforting. I just thought today that it might be encouraging for people to hear someone reading. It makes it more personal. Blessings to you!
You included Psalm 62 in this post which so beautifully describes what I’m learning to do in my times of trouble…I’m simply pouring out my heart before Him. Thank you for your sweet words. I love your painting of that photo you took. I believe I remember seeing the photo on Facebook that night. I love how you’re using creativity and seeing beauty in God’s creation to process your grief.
Amy, I am also trying to learn to completely lean on God through all my days. I’m glad you like the painting. Yes, it is so helpful in my grieving process to use creativity and God’s creation. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings to you, dear sister!
Thank you dear Gayl for His Words and art and of comfort and encouragement He gave you to share with us…you are ar near and dear to me! Walking this path of trust and Love with you as He leads us on in His own special ways!
Thank you, dear Cathy. I’m so glad it encouraged you. Yes, it’s so much better to love and trust Him than to worry. We can take our worries to Him and He hears and understands. May we continually follow Him. Blessings and love to you! xo
Sending you hugs from across the seas Gayl, from one Mama to another who too knows the pain of losing children….to lose a child, no matter what their age, is a deep thorn of pain in the heart of a Mama…
God’s loving arms are encircling you in His peace & comfort, may you feel this as you go about your coming days…For He knows the pain of seeing His Son die… ♥
Bless you,
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer, It really does help to know you understand. It is such a deep pain, but God is good. I do feel His peace and comfort. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Blessings and love to you! xoxo
Oh Dear Gayl,
Thank you for sharing such precious thoughts here. Your poem is so beautiful as it moves through so many different ways that thorns can bring pain. And I was moved to tears at the precious thought that in Heaven all those thorns will finally be over. They will have accomplished their final purposes, and we will be so free with Jesus. Your beautiful painting of the comforting sunset that God gave you after son’s funeral is such a blessing. May He continue to bring you such comfort whenever that thorn feels too painful to bear. Sending much love and hugs dear sister/poet/friend. xoxo
Dear Bettie, as always, you are so encouraging to me with your comments. Thank you for being here and for praying for me and being such a good friend. Much love to you with hugs and blessings my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxoxo
Thank you for taking this prompt and not only running with it but challenging others!
What beautiful words and art bloom out of pain.
Thank you so much for your encouraging comments. I loved how the one word, thorns, brought out all these thoughts for me. Blessings to you!
Gayl, I love this post! Such a great idea with the audio recording – your voice has a very comforting touch!
Thank you so much, Hadassah! I’m glad you found it comforting. I just thought today that it might be encouraging for people to hear someone reading. It makes it more personal. Blessings to you!
No one could ever comfort and give us hope like God can! Thanks for sharing, Gayl. Many blessings to you!
Yes, you are absolutely right, Boma. No one can comfort like God. Many blessings right back to you, dear sister!
Beautiful writing, Gayl.
Thank you, dear Susan. Blessings to you! xo
You included Psalm 62 in this post which so beautifully describes what I’m learning to do in my times of trouble…I’m simply pouring out my heart before Him. Thank you for your sweet words. I love your painting of that photo you took. I believe I remember seeing the photo on Facebook that night. I love how you’re using creativity and seeing beauty in God’s creation to process your grief.
Amy, I am also trying to learn to completely lean on God through all my days. I’m glad you like the painting. Yes, it is so helpful in my grieving process to use creativity and God’s creation. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings to you, dear sister!
Thank you dear Gayl for His Words and art and of comfort and encouragement He gave you to share with us…you are ar near and dear to me! Walking this path of trust and Love with you as He leads us on in His own special ways!
Thank you, dear Cathy. I’m so glad it encouraged you. Yes, it’s so much better to love and trust Him than to worry. We can take our worries to Him and He hears and understands. May we continually follow Him. Blessings and love to you! xo
Sending you hugs from across the seas Gayl, from one Mama to another who too knows the pain of losing children….to lose a child, no matter what their age, is a deep thorn of pain in the heart of a Mama…
God’s loving arms are encircling you in His peace & comfort, may you feel this as you go about your coming days…For He knows the pain of seeing His Son die… ♥
Bless you,
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer, It really does help to know you understand. It is such a deep pain, but God is good. I do feel His peace and comfort. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Blessings and love to you! xoxo