– Genesis 45:5
Sometimes Bad is Good
Sometimes I think we give the devil way too much credit. Whenever something bad happens to us we immediately think we are under attack from the enemy and we go into survival mode. But then there are times when what we should be doing is running head-first into "thrive" mode because God has a plan, and even though we can't know it in the moment, His plans are all about saving lives. He wants to do it through us, but in order for us to get to the right place in His plan, He has to refine us . . . He has to build our character
Building character takes time. It also takes going through stuff – and it's often pretty bad stuff – so that we can see and know the resolve that we have through the power of God and His Holy Spirit. Sometimes we have to be stripped of everything we think we know, and we have to go places we'd much rather not go, and we might even have to find out some things about ourselves that cut a bit too much. But through it all, if we stay strong in the Lord, and we serve Him with a joyful heart – even in the midst of the most difficult struggles – His plan will unfold before our eyes, and our walk, our faith, our hope, and our love for Him will deepen beyond measure. Oh, and a few folks will get saved along the way. Who knows, like Joseph, your whole family could get saved!
So the next time you are faced with a big problem, or something terrible suddenly happens (which at first glance looks like it's going to take you into the pits of despair), praise God first (because He should always be your Go-to-Guy). Don't give the devil any credit (because He's just a wimp anyway). Put your working gloves on (because you got some heavy lifting to do). Take a deep breath (and breath in the power of the Holy Spirit), and run! Run fast! Run hard . . . headfirst and with wild abandon, straight into the heart of the problem. Thrive in the circumstances and let the world see your resolve. Smile – always smile – and then smile some more. And each day . . . every day . . . SEE God work. HEAR God speaking to you. FEEL God, because He's right there with you, holding you up and cheering you on.
Sometimes God puts you in a bad situation, because He knows you, and He believes in you, and He needs you to know that. He needs you to have His character so that you can be the instrument through which He will save lives.
Prayer
Father thank You for reminding us that sometimes You want to build our character, and to do so, we have to go through eye-opening, hope building, and faith-strengthening stuff. Thank You for letting us know that in those times, You have a plan, and we can trust that You will work out all the details to pull us through. We just have to keep our eyes, and our hope, and our faith, fixed on You, no matter what the circumstance. You are The Strong God, and we can overcome all things . . . through You.
Have a blessed day everyone!
– Richard
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