Sweeter Than Honey: Suffering, Anxiety, and Thorns

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? And what if we committed to doing that all year long—only to find that by the end of the year, we had read the entirety of God’s Word—His love letter to us?

How many times have you, on January 1, resolved to read the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I’ve made that commitment more times than I can count—and I’ve failed more times than I’d like to admit. But a few years ago, I tried something different. I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis wasn’t the first book of the Bible written? While these plans can vary—since it’s impossible to pinpoint exact dates for some books—the plan I used began with the book of Job.

​Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey: A 365-Day Devotional Journey, a devotional patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, through the end of the year, I’d love for you to join me as we journey through parts of Sweeter Than Honey together!

As we look ahead to 2026, why not make a plan now—either on your own or with your small group, Sunday school class, or women’s Bible study—to read through the Bible together using the Sweeter Than Honey Bible Reading Plan? Imagine the growth, encouragement, and community that could come from walking through God’s Word side by side for an entire year!

2 Corinthians 10-13: ​Suffering, Anxiety, and Thorns

In the final chapters of Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth, he writes of the suffering he has endured as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He writes of bodily harm, being lost at sea, danger, toil, hardship, sleepless nights, hunger, and thirst, and then he tells the Corinthians, “there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:28).

"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)

Anxiety is a word we hear a lot today, but frankly, I was surprised to find it here in Paul’s letter. Paul was anxious for all the churches he and others had planted. Over a period of 14 years, we read Paul’s letters to seven different churches in the books of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. These churches were scattered throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. It was impossible for Paul to be with these church members as much as he wanted to be, and this was a daily pressure on him that made him anxious.

Besides Paul's anxiety for these seven churches and their problems, he also struggled with his own problem. Paul had a “thorn,” the Bible calls it. “…a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Corinthians 12:7). This passage goes on to tell us that Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to remove this thorn, but the Lord chose not to.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

We can learn a very valuable lesson from Paul and the suffering he endured, the anxiety he felt over the churches he served, and the boasting he did because of his thorn. That lesson is a lesson in grace and contentment. God said to Paul. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (12:9). And Paul writes in response, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content” (12:9-10).

When God chooses not to remove your “thorn,” do you see it as a hindrance to your faith—or as a holy invitation to experience His sufficient grace and perfect strength in your weakness?

About Sweeter Than Honey
Spending time in God’s Word each day changes everything. It brings peace in chaos, strength in weakness, and direction for whatever lies ahead. Scripture truly is God’s Love Letter to us—personal, powerful, and life-giving.

Even in our busiest seasons, there’s always time to meet with Him—early in the morning, late at night, or somewhere in between. When we make space for His Word, we allow His truth to shape our thoughts, guide our steps, and overflow into the lives of those around us.

That’s why I created Sweeter Than Honey—a 365-day devotional journey designed to help busy women read through the entire Bible in one year. Inspired by Psalm 119:103—“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”—this devotional offers daily encouragement rooted in Scripture.

Each day includes a short devotion and reading itinerary that follows the Bible in chronological order of book authorship. By year’s end, you’ll have read the entire Bible while deepening your relationship with the Author Himself.

You’ll find encouragement on every page to seek God first, experience His presence in new ways, and live each day with purpose and peace. Sweeter Than Honey isn’t just another devotional—it’s a keepsake for your journey of faith.

Join the private Facebook group to connect with other believers, share insights, and grow together in God’s Word.

What Readers Are Saying
"Sweeter Than Honey: A 365-Day Devotional Journey is a delightful guide that offers a manageable and intentional plan for busy women to read through the Bible in a year. The author's emphasis on being intentional about a plan resonates with the challenges many of us face in maintaining a consistent Bible study routine. The daily devotions, centered around Psalm 119:103, provide a sweet and meaningful journey through God's Word.

What sets this devotional apart is its chronological order of book authorship, allowing readers to experience the Bible in a unique way. The thoughtfully written devotions offer encouragement, peace, and strength for our weakest moments. The spiritual emphasis challenges readers to seek God above all else, fostering a daily connection and a deeper understanding of His Word.
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"Sweeter Than Honey is not just a daily devotional; it becomes a keepsake as readers record prayers and engage in thought-provoking exercises that touch every aspect of life. The book's structure and content make it a valuable resource for those seeking a transformative and intentional daily walk with God." —Amelia

Get Started Today
Want to try it out? Download January for free and begin your journey through God’s Word today!

Leading a small group, Sunday school, or Bible study? Download the FREE Media Package, complete with planning tools, promotional materials, and leader resources—everything you need to guide your group confidently through Sweeter Than Honey.

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