One of the most beautiful flowers God has created is the rose. People have long been fascinated with this lovely work of art. Each rose, though, has a number of thorns on its stem, and they warn us to "handle with care." Thorns are mixed with the roses in our lives too. Paul spoke of his illness or disability as a "thorn" (2 Corinthians 12:7). He accepted the thorn as a positive thing in his life.

Troubles, concerns, fears and worries are thorns in us all. They can be good for us. When florists handle roses, they mind the thorns and love the rose. The lesson for us all is that there are no roses without thorns. Thorns are there to help us concentrate and to teach us that trials in life can result in something beautiful if they are used well.

Further Reading:
"When It Seems God Doesn’t Hear or Answer" from You Can Have Living Faith. Online at www.gnmagazine.org/booklets/LF/hearoranswer.htm