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The Gift of Thorns: Jesus, the Flesh, and the War for Our Wants
Today's follower of Jesus exists at a moment in history when our desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against us by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. "Follow your heart" and "You do you" has become our moment's mantras. The result, for too many, is feeling torn asunder by the raging desires within. What do we do with our desire? What about our unwanted desires? And how do we cultivate desires which bring life and freedom and lead to Christ? The Gift of Thorns , by A. J. Swoboda, addresses these questions and more. The path forward is anything but easy. It is assumed by too many in the Christian community that desire is in and of itself bad or dangerous and must be crucified for simply existing. Desire is demonic for some. But, for many others--particularly in the secular West--desire must be followed through and through. This side deifies desire. But these two options sidestep the joy in the great challenge of finding God in our desire. There exists an ancient and sacred way that is forged around the life, wisdom, and power of Jesus and his Spirit. In short, what makes a follower of Christ is not whether or not we have desires. Rather, it is what we do with the desires we have. Near the end of the story of humanity's rebellion, the theme of "thorns" is introduced. As readers will discover, the thematic repetition of "thorns" pops up over and over throughout the Bible. What are the thorns for? They will be, in the words of God, "for you" (Gen. 3:18). The premise of this book is that a world where we do not get all that we want is, well, the greatest gift ever.
226 pages, Hardcover
Published February 20, 2024
55 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Swoboda
17 books174 followersA. J. Swoboda (PhD, University of Birmingham) pastors Theophilus Church in urban Portland, Oregon. He is executive director of the Seminary Stewardship Alliance, a consortium of Christian higher education institutions dedicated to reconnecting Christians with the biblical call to care for God's creation. Swoboda also teaches biblical studies, theology, and church history at Portland Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary, among others. He is an award-winning author or editor of nine books and speaks regularly at conferences, retreats, churches, and seminars. Visit his website and blog at www.ajswoboda.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 30, 2025
Profound. Compelling. Beautiful. Comforting. I loved listening to the audio version read by the author but this definitely requires hard copy to keep and revisit. He sheds light on Biblical themes of desire that all of us need to know and live in.
I feel the title is slightly misleading because the focus isn't on thorns. However, the subtitle is very accurate, the reason I picked up the book, and the reason everyone needs this message.
I feel the title is slightly misleading because the focus isn't on thorns. However, the subtitle is very accurate, the reason I picked up the book, and the reason everyone needs this message.
March 26, 2024
I don't even know where to begin with this book.
Swoboda provides an imminently practical and pastoral approach to the subject of desire while maintaining a high level of Biblical and Theological rigor. This book is accessible enough for anyone, and deep enough to challenge and provoke even the most learned. I believe this book will stand as a timeless resource for future generations.
You should read it.
Swoboda provides an imminently practical and pastoral approach to the subject of desire while maintaining a high level of Biblical and Theological rigor. This book is accessible enough for anyone, and deep enough to challenge and provoke even the most learned. I believe this book will stand as a timeless resource for future generations.
You should read it.
January 21, 2026
I have read many popular theology books (the ISBN says Religion>Christian Living>spiritual growth) and rarely have I found any as compelling, relevant, and well organized/researched as this. Most books are far too broad and not deep enough. A few are so deep as to feel disconnected from everyday life. Swoboda hits every nail squarely on the head, addressing both the practical questions and implications of this topic of desire as well as the theological ones.
Our culture has a deep disorder in our relationship with desire. Swoboda accesses that disorder with clarity, relatability, and robust intellectual and theological integrity. I would recommend this book to truly anyone—religious or not! It provokes good questions about our relationship with desire and how to live the good life as we wrestle with it.
Our culture has a deep disorder in our relationship with desire. Swoboda accesses that disorder with clarity, relatability, and robust intellectual and theological integrity. I would recommend this book to truly anyone—religious or not! It provokes good questions about our relationship with desire and how to live the good life as we wrestle with it.
November 14, 2024
6 stars! Stunningly good book. Beautifully written. Profound but accessible. Exactly what I needed to read and desired to read but didn’t know it.
March 24, 2025
Love everything by AJ Swoboda! I listened to the audio book, and wish he would have read it - as some of the tone/humor/etc feels a bit lost not being in his voice.
March 16, 2024
Gentle, hard, and beautiful. I plan to re-read this one.
September 3, 2024
Part 3/4 in the series, "God, What Should I Do With My Life?"
What do you want?
No, I mean, really. What do you want? On a deep, intimate, soul-level -- what do you really, truly want?
The answer will be different for each one of us, but for the thoughtful Christian who is trying to come to terms with his or her unique mixed bag of desires and longings, A.J. Swoboda offers some theory, guidance, food for thought, and comfort, with this book, The Gift of Thorns .
This is one of the more intense Christian books I've read, not only because it gets into some fairly heavy-duty theology that you don't often find in the mainstream Christian Living section, but because Dr. Swoboda engages in head-on reckoning with some of the deepest and tenderest parts of the human experience. It's about the theology of desire, which sounds pretty abstract, but given that at any given time a human being is wanting something or another, it hits all too close to home. Add to that the fact that, for the Christian, certain desires are for things that are, according to Christian morality, off limits. Indeed, some of us struggle with guilt for even our desires, regardless of whether we actually act on them (whether the mere desire to sin constitutes a sin in and of itself is one of the oldest debates in the history of Christianity, incidentally). Also add to that the fact that not all of us can be John Piper and happily desire and rejoice in God all the time, and, well, you have a book that really speaks to the soul. The experience of reading this book is mind-expanding, thought-provoking, sometimes deeply painful, but also at times healing.
There's been a bit of a trend in the Christian Living world to take note of the "my truth"/ "you do you" culture that saturates secular society and then aggressively go against the grain with quote-unquote countercultural messages like "don't follow your dream", "crucify your desires," and so on. Yes, it is true that the Christian walk, like many good and worthy things in this life, requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Some of it is even, yes, painful. And, yes, our culture has admittedly leaned too hard into individualism, and Christians are called to stand out by denying ourselves of some desires. But sometimes all these calls to take up your cross and crucify your hopes and dreams leave one with the distinct impression that the most godly thing someone can do is strive to make themselves completely miserable.
Swoboda has a far healthier, and more theologically informed, perspective on desire. It turns out desires aren't inherently bad at all. In fact, some desires and emotions are actually quite advisable to follow. God has desires, and He created humanity to have desires, too. Also, one can desire good and right things in the Lord with all the passion and ferocity with which we long for yummy food, a loving partner, or that latest trendy #BookTok book (haha). Desire, in other words, is not evil, contrary to what a lot of contemporary Evangelical thought on the matter might lead you to believe. Swoboda does a good job of correcting misconceptions that have all too often led to unnecessary pain for Evangelicals (i.e., that sex is inherently evil, that we should strive to have no desires apart from Jesus, that a lapse in enthusiasm about prayer and scripture reading is a sign that we are bad Christians, etc.).
Still, though, sin is a reality, and our desires are, alas, corrupted. We want things that will hurt us and pull us away from God, and we wonder why we keep wanting things we know are wrong. While Swoboda is gentle with some desires, he also tells readers to mercilessly kill others. Murder your darlings, as it were. Not just accept them, or behavior-modify them away to look good for the Church, but be killing them, slowly and painfully, every day. Swoboda does not mince words about how necessary, or hard, this death to sin will be. His book is as tough as it is kind.
Yet, unlike some books on the subject, this little volume doesn't feel like a simple exercise in sanctified self-hatred either. Dr. Swoboda's tone throughout definitely feels a lot kinder and more empathetic than what I'm used to hearing from big-name Evangelical leaders. While he is merciless about killing sin, he's more tender about desire. Swoboda generally is of the opinion that our desires are not so much evil, monstrous secrets that must be desperately crammed into the basement of the soul, as a guide to the places where we are most longing to find healing or God's love. To be sure, some desires are bad and need to be nipped in the bud (say, a desire to punch your annoying co-worker, or look at hardcore porn), but in many cases, Swoboda actually challenges readers to look deeper into the root of the desire and invite God into that space as the One who most desires our good. Desire is not evil, but it is powerful and chaotic. It must be trained into wanting the right things. And that process is difficult and lifelong.
Another case Dr. Swoboda repeatedly makes is that, true to the title of the book, sometimes having desires thwarted is the best thing that can happen to us. Thorns are the things that make life harder. The thorns that grew in the previously pristine Eden that made farming a difficult chore for humankind rather than an Edenic joyride. Paul's metaphorical "thorn in his side" that troubled him to no end, that he desperately tried to pray away. But sometimes having to go without can teach us to be more patient people who understand what really matters. Though the struggle with whatever our weakness is (usually something to do with sexuality and/or spiritual doubt, in my experience) is agonizing, it can lead to better self-knowledge and understanding of God's mercy. The recurrent sins that we're so ashamed of might just be one place where, slowly but surely, we are being spiritually formed. Perhaps one day we will overcome that struggle, and will have grown for it. I'm not quite sold that thorns are always a gift: there are, after all, such things as pointless suffering and unnecessary self-denial. But Swoboda does make a good point.
I will offer the fair warning that, if you are searching for support and affirmation for certain desires that might be close to your heart, you won't exactly find it here. Dr. Swoboda is definitely a theological conservative. Some of his language around "killing desire" and his strict takes on sexual morality did feel uncomfortable to me.. Those with more serious religious trauma (especially LGBT folks) may find parts of the book distinctly painful. But still, for a guy who is decidedly non-affirming, I think Swoboda has a lot more compassion and gentleness than most Evangelical writers talking about sexuality or desire, which I appreciate. He certainly has had his fair share of struggles with desire that didn't have pat easy answers. He is sincere, empathetic, and never afraid to roll up his sleeves and get scratched by the thorniness (ha!) of the theological and personal questions he delves into.
A book about theology of desire might seem terribly academic for a mid-twentysomething creative who is trying to figure out what to do with her life. But it has been surprisingly helpful. As silly as it sounds, this book helped me kick my longstanding struggle with using impulse purchases as a coping mechanism to deal with my depression (and saved me a lot of $$ in the process haha). It's helped me think a lot about the deeper roots behind my "wanting" certain things from my life and my worries as to whether God is "okay" with that. And, after all, characters are driven by desire, so reading books about psychology and desire is actually helpful to me as an author.
A deep, intense, and thought-provoking read.
- AMH
What do you want?
No, I mean, really. What do you want? On a deep, intimate, soul-level -- what do you really, truly want?
The answer will be different for each one of us, but for the thoughtful Christian who is trying to come to terms with his or her unique mixed bag of desires and longings, A.J. Swoboda offers some theory, guidance, food for thought, and comfort, with this book, The Gift of Thorns .
This is one of the more intense Christian books I've read, not only because it gets into some fairly heavy-duty theology that you don't often find in the mainstream Christian Living section, but because Dr. Swoboda engages in head-on reckoning with some of the deepest and tenderest parts of the human experience. It's about the theology of desire, which sounds pretty abstract, but given that at any given time a human being is wanting something or another, it hits all too close to home. Add to that the fact that, for the Christian, certain desires are for things that are, according to Christian morality, off limits. Indeed, some of us struggle with guilt for even our desires, regardless of whether we actually act on them (whether the mere desire to sin constitutes a sin in and of itself is one of the oldest debates in the history of Christianity, incidentally). Also add to that the fact that not all of us can be John Piper and happily desire and rejoice in God all the time, and, well, you have a book that really speaks to the soul. The experience of reading this book is mind-expanding, thought-provoking, sometimes deeply painful, but also at times healing.
There's been a bit of a trend in the Christian Living world to take note of the "my truth"/ "you do you" culture that saturates secular society and then aggressively go against the grain with quote-unquote countercultural messages like "don't follow your dream", "crucify your desires," and so on. Yes, it is true that the Christian walk, like many good and worthy things in this life, requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Some of it is even, yes, painful. And, yes, our culture has admittedly leaned too hard into individualism, and Christians are called to stand out by denying ourselves of some desires. But sometimes all these calls to take up your cross and crucify your hopes and dreams leave one with the distinct impression that the most godly thing someone can do is strive to make themselves completely miserable.
Swoboda has a far healthier, and more theologically informed, perspective on desire. It turns out desires aren't inherently bad at all. In fact, some desires and emotions are actually quite advisable to follow. God has desires, and He created humanity to have desires, too. Also, one can desire good and right things in the Lord with all the passion and ferocity with which we long for yummy food, a loving partner, or that latest trendy #BookTok book (haha). Desire, in other words, is not evil, contrary to what a lot of contemporary Evangelical thought on the matter might lead you to believe. Swoboda does a good job of correcting misconceptions that have all too often led to unnecessary pain for Evangelicals (i.e., that sex is inherently evil, that we should strive to have no desires apart from Jesus, that a lapse in enthusiasm about prayer and scripture reading is a sign that we are bad Christians, etc.).
Still, though, sin is a reality, and our desires are, alas, corrupted. We want things that will hurt us and pull us away from God, and we wonder why we keep wanting things we know are wrong. While Swoboda is gentle with some desires, he also tells readers to mercilessly kill others. Murder your darlings, as it were. Not just accept them, or behavior-modify them away to look good for the Church, but be killing them, slowly and painfully, every day. Swoboda does not mince words about how necessary, or hard, this death to sin will be. His book is as tough as it is kind.
Yet, unlike some books on the subject, this little volume doesn't feel like a simple exercise in sanctified self-hatred either. Dr. Swoboda's tone throughout definitely feels a lot kinder and more empathetic than what I'm used to hearing from big-name Evangelical leaders. While he is merciless about killing sin, he's more tender about desire. Swoboda generally is of the opinion that our desires are not so much evil, monstrous secrets that must be desperately crammed into the basement of the soul, as a guide to the places where we are most longing to find healing or God's love. To be sure, some desires are bad and need to be nipped in the bud (say, a desire to punch your annoying co-worker, or look at hardcore porn), but in many cases, Swoboda actually challenges readers to look deeper into the root of the desire and invite God into that space as the One who most desires our good. Desire is not evil, but it is powerful and chaotic. It must be trained into wanting the right things. And that process is difficult and lifelong.
Another case Dr. Swoboda repeatedly makes is that, true to the title of the book, sometimes having desires thwarted is the best thing that can happen to us. Thorns are the things that make life harder. The thorns that grew in the previously pristine Eden that made farming a difficult chore for humankind rather than an Edenic joyride. Paul's metaphorical "thorn in his side" that troubled him to no end, that he desperately tried to pray away. But sometimes having to go without can teach us to be more patient people who understand what really matters. Though the struggle with whatever our weakness is (usually something to do with sexuality and/or spiritual doubt, in my experience) is agonizing, it can lead to better self-knowledge and understanding of God's mercy. The recurrent sins that we're so ashamed of might just be one place where, slowly but surely, we are being spiritually formed. Perhaps one day we will overcome that struggle, and will have grown for it. I'm not quite sold that thorns are always a gift: there are, after all, such things as pointless suffering and unnecessary self-denial. But Swoboda does make a good point.
I will offer the fair warning that, if you are searching for support and affirmation for certain desires that might be close to your heart, you won't exactly find it here. Dr. Swoboda is definitely a theological conservative. Some of his language around "killing desire" and his strict takes on sexual morality did feel uncomfortable to me.. Those with more serious religious trauma (especially LGBT folks) may find parts of the book distinctly painful. But still, for a guy who is decidedly non-affirming, I think Swoboda has a lot more compassion and gentleness than most Evangelical writers talking about sexuality or desire, which I appreciate. He certainly has had his fair share of struggles with desire that didn't have pat easy answers. He is sincere, empathetic, and never afraid to roll up his sleeves and get scratched by the thorniness (ha!) of the theological and personal questions he delves into.
A book about theology of desire might seem terribly academic for a mid-twentysomething creative who is trying to figure out what to do with her life. But it has been surprisingly helpful. As silly as it sounds, this book helped me kick my longstanding struggle with using impulse purchases as a coping mechanism to deal with my depression (and saved me a lot of $$ in the process haha). It's helped me think a lot about the deeper roots behind my "wanting" certain things from my life and my worries as to whether God is "okay" with that. And, after all, characters are driven by desire, so reading books about psychology and desire is actually helpful to me as an author.
A deep, intense, and thought-provoking read.
- AMH
November 13, 2024
This is a well written, well, researched, thoughtful, entertaining book about the under emphasize reality of desires in our lives. There were parts I thought could use a bit more practical application, but it was largely an enlightening and incredibly helpful read.
June 1, 2024
This is the first book I’ve ever read that is about a theology of desire, i.e. what can desire tell us about God, who we are as humans, and what it’s all pointing towards.
A.J. Swoboda takes the reader back to the beginning: about how God desired creation and humans; about how God created us from the beginning with desire, for himself but also for one another; and how Satan twisted those desires.
In Part 2, Swoboda investigates what happens when desire is separated from God’s presence and what to do about the biblical term “flesh” and what do we do with those desires. Remove God from the equation, then desire becomes unmoored and it becomes humanity’s ultimate pursuit, their idols. Christian maturity tempers desire, roots it in God, and recognizes that when desire for God wains, that we are called to more than attraction. Instead we are formed best when we realize our lack.
Part 3 talks about reordering our desires, away from rebellion and recentering them again around God. This is a lifelong journey, which involves filling up on right desire, which begins and is founded on a renewal of the presence, the wonder, a desire for and of God. This transforms us from the inside out. Reordering desires involves discerning the good from the great, the secondary from the most important. The good needs to be hated in favor of the best—a fascinating little discourse on the language of hate and what it means in scripture.
In part 4 Swoboda tells us about reviving our passions. First we need to recognize that desire is at the root of the deepest hurts we suffer: desire disappointed or betrayed, desire unrequited. They have been weaponized against us to maim and destroy, but it can also be the doorway to renewal. Those whom scripture most praises, are those who recognize their spiritual hunger and thirst, and pursue God. In the final chapter, desire is essentially the sign that none of us are home until our deepest desires are met. But it isn’t about getting what we want, which Swoboda identifies as God’s wrath (get the book and read about it), instead its being at peace with what God wants and discovering that our true desires are found within his story and will.
I highly recommend this book, not only for its theological insight, its insight into modern identity, but also as a study in the Christian spiritual life. This has the makings of a classic.
A.J. Swoboda takes the reader back to the beginning: about how God desired creation and humans; about how God created us from the beginning with desire, for himself but also for one another; and how Satan twisted those desires.
In Part 2, Swoboda investigates what happens when desire is separated from God’s presence and what to do about the biblical term “flesh” and what do we do with those desires. Remove God from the equation, then desire becomes unmoored and it becomes humanity’s ultimate pursuit, their idols. Christian maturity tempers desire, roots it in God, and recognizes that when desire for God wains, that we are called to more than attraction. Instead we are formed best when we realize our lack.
Part 3 talks about reordering our desires, away from rebellion and recentering them again around God. This is a lifelong journey, which involves filling up on right desire, which begins and is founded on a renewal of the presence, the wonder, a desire for and of God. This transforms us from the inside out. Reordering desires involves discerning the good from the great, the secondary from the most important. The good needs to be hated in favor of the best—a fascinating little discourse on the language of hate and what it means in scripture.
In part 4 Swoboda tells us about reviving our passions. First we need to recognize that desire is at the root of the deepest hurts we suffer: desire disappointed or betrayed, desire unrequited. They have been weaponized against us to maim and destroy, but it can also be the doorway to renewal. Those whom scripture most praises, are those who recognize their spiritual hunger and thirst, and pursue God. In the final chapter, desire is essentially the sign that none of us are home until our deepest desires are met. But it isn’t about getting what we want, which Swoboda identifies as God’s wrath (get the book and read about it), instead its being at peace with what God wants and discovering that our true desires are found within his story and will.
I highly recommend this book, not only for its theological insight, its insight into modern identity, but also as a study in the Christian spiritual life. This has the makings of a classic.
November 8, 2024
I picked up this book after reading my alumni newsletter discussing Dr. Swoboda's program for Spiritual Foundation and Soul Care-what a great department nane, right? I was interested to see if they would allow me to audit one of his classes, but I wanted to know a little more about his views and theology. Wow... I'm definitely looking into how I might be able to work a class into my future plans.
I found the Biblical perspective applicable without being overtly denominational, which made the concepts feel fresh, motivating, and reflective. Swoboda's approach lacks judgment while clearly sharing theological truth, as well; often difficult for even the best
pastors to convey in writing, I think. In nearly every chapter, I was highlighting text, journaling concepts that stood out to me, or calling a friend to share what I'd read.
I won't share any spoilers because if you're interested enough to read a review, I think it's worth picking it up. I hope you'll find it inspires your faith and challenges you to dig deeper.
I found the Biblical perspective applicable without being overtly denominational, which made the concepts feel fresh, motivating, and reflective. Swoboda's approach lacks judgment while clearly sharing theological truth, as well; often difficult for even the best
pastors to convey in writing, I think. In nearly every chapter, I was highlighting text, journaling concepts that stood out to me, or calling a friend to share what I'd read.
I won't share any spoilers because if you're interested enough to read a review, I think it's worth picking it up. I hope you'll find it inspires your faith and challenges you to dig deeper.
December 2, 2024
The church’s relationship to desire is a complicated one. Are Christians to stay all their desires under the assumption that their wants must be of self rather than of God? Sometimes it seems this is the popular belief, and it’s the belief Swoboda interrogates. His conclusion is nuanced and rich, showing the ways the Bible and God support human desire when submitted to one’s faith in God. The chapter on God being a desiring God, that humans are not truly needed but are profoundly wanted had me in tears. I found this book to be incredibly informative and thorough. The content is presented with humility and personal stories while remaining deeply theological and biblical. In my opinion, the best books in this genre of Christian nonfiction are those which press me to spiritual formation and holiness. This is that.
The bottom line: This is one of my favorite nonfiction reads of the year. I was challenged in my theology and worldview. I highly recommend it!
The bottom line: This is one of my favorite nonfiction reads of the year. I was challenged in my theology and worldview. I highly recommend it!
March 28, 2024
I gain something from every book I read. But some books are more formative and thought provoking. This is one of those books.
Desire is something we all struggle with. Whether it's a present desire for something wrong, or an absent desire for something good; desire is something that often frustrates and confuses us. Why do I want what I know will hurt me? Why don't I want what I know to be good?
Swoboda does an excellent job of explaining the fact that we are God's good creation. Created by a desiring God to desire he who created us. Sin has broken our God given Wholeness as Satan has used our desires against us.
I learned so much from this book. It's definitely one that will be in my library and that I will go back to often.
Desire is something we all struggle with. Whether it's a present desire for something wrong, or an absent desire for something good; desire is something that often frustrates and confuses us. Why do I want what I know will hurt me? Why don't I want what I know to be good?
Swoboda does an excellent job of explaining the fact that we are God's good creation. Created by a desiring God to desire he who created us. Sin has broken our God given Wholeness as Satan has used our desires against us.
I learned so much from this book. It's definitely one that will be in my library and that I will go back to often.
June 19, 2024
This is not a book to fly through! Each page needed time for thoughtful reflection. Add to that the footnotes - so many footnotes! - and you know you’re in for a slow reading.
But this is good-I need a book to challenge and push me. The writing was conversational but academic at the same time.
I wore out my favorite highlighter marking up this book! Here’s one section that stood out:
“The heart is the soil from which our desire grows. When the heart is cultivated, good desires grow.”
And…
“We will grow whatever we water in our gardens. The unattended garden will soon be overrun with weeds; the heart that fails to cultivate truth and root out error will shortly be a theological wilderness.”
But this is good-I need a book to challenge and push me. The writing was conversational but academic at the same time.
I wore out my favorite highlighter marking up this book! Here’s one section that stood out:
“The heart is the soil from which our desire grows. When the heart is cultivated, good desires grow.”
And…
“We will grow whatever we water in our gardens. The unattended garden will soon be overrun with weeds; the heart that fails to cultivate truth and root out error will shortly be a theological wilderness.”
January 16, 2025
Having read Swoboda's book about deconstruction, I knew I'd be reading something thoughtful and responsibly nuanced. I was not disappointed. Drawing on his experiences as a college professor teaching Christian and non-Christian students, as well as his time as a minister, A.J. crafts a great book discussing the confusion around our desires. The author didn't just discuss why our desires become disordered, but he offered solutions that had a deep foundation in Scripture. He did this all without beating the reader over the head, shaming us, and instead, approaches it in a way that brings Christ-centered healing. If you desire (no pun intended), then, a holistic examination of how Christians can view and express desire, I recommend this book.
February 27, 2026
This book has been a beautiful gift. According to my evangelical upbringing, desire is always bad, and the withholding of desire is always good. How anemic and totally incomplete that was!
Swoboda writes in wonderful way to show how desire and longing are often times very good. "We were created by God to desire God and those things God created us to desire" (food, air, water, relationships, companionship).
That being said, desire can be dangerous and having every desire of the flesh isn't actually good for us.
"Christlikeness is found in the daily work of laying down our desires of the flesh for the sake of faithfulness to Jesus."
I'm very grateful for the author's work of unpacking this misunderstood topic.
Swoboda writes in wonderful way to show how desire and longing are often times very good. "We were created by God to desire God and those things God created us to desire" (food, air, water, relationships, companionship).
That being said, desire can be dangerous and having every desire of the flesh isn't actually good for us.
"Christlikeness is found in the daily work of laying down our desires of the flesh for the sake of faithfulness to Jesus."
I'm very grateful for the author's work of unpacking this misunderstood topic.
March 25, 2024
Wow, thankful for a God who desires us, desires me, desires you.
“On the cross, Jesus wears the burden of our sin’s weight. We were given a world of thorns upon our fall. Our lives become painful, difficult, tempestuous, and frustrated. Life leaves much to be desired. Still, that is not the end of the story. Love has let us know we are desired. And those thorns that were ours have been put on another. Indeed, the one who bore those thorns is God’s greatest gift.”
“We’re made to love rightly. We all have disordered loves, be it loving something too much, loving something not enough, loving things we shouldn’t, or neglecting to love things we should.”
“On the cross, Jesus wears the burden of our sin’s weight. We were given a world of thorns upon our fall. Our lives become painful, difficult, tempestuous, and frustrated. Life leaves much to be desired. Still, that is not the end of the story. Love has let us know we are desired. And those thorns that were ours have been put on another. Indeed, the one who bore those thorns is God’s greatest gift.”
“We’re made to love rightly. We all have disordered loves, be it loving something too much, loving something not enough, loving things we shouldn’t, or neglecting to love things we should.”
December 2, 2024
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed this book on desires. I like how the author went through a sequence of the origins of desire, where desires went wrong, and the need to reign them back in.
The connection to the title was a little lost on me, since right desires wouldn't seem like thorns, but overall, this book left me thinking and contemplating the desires in my own life.
Really enjoyed this book on desires. I like how the author went through a sequence of the origins of desire, where desires went wrong, and the need to reign them back in.
The connection to the title was a little lost on me, since right desires wouldn't seem like thorns, but overall, this book left me thinking and contemplating the desires in my own life.
April 2, 2025
Based on the title I was assuming this book would be about suffering and using Paul’s thorn in his flesh. It turns out it was on desire, how it’s disordered and distorted by sin, but restored through Jesus beginning today and finishing in heaven. It was a great read, but like another reviewer wrote, I’m not quite sure the title properly communicated what it was about.
January 4, 2025
I’m instantly a fan of AJ Swoboda. This is the first time I’ve read his work and I absolutely loved it. This is an honest and hopeful wrestle with desire and I loved how he weaved the imagery of thorns from Genesis to Revelation.
April 3, 2024
Beautiful
October 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and the dive into desire! I'd give it 4.5 starts because I would read this again and probably will, but I think it left me looking for a bit more practical application.
April 13, 2025
must read book for 2025, at least for me!
October 22, 2025
I wish I had a physical copy of this book so I could underline many profound things.
January 7, 2026
Very good book. Both insightful and devotional. Will read more from A. J. Swoboda in the future!
January 17, 2026
The topic is interesting and I loved the broad range of quality work the author pulled from and noted. I just didn’t find this book very interesting.
March 18, 2026
Incredible book outlining the origin of desire, formation of desire, the killing of desire and the birth of longing.
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