Focus

Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Decision

Did you know that the journey of suffering has the potential to burst forth in your life the deepest level of intimacy with God?

[Tweet “Oh yes, when life beats us down, all we can do is look up.”]

Have you also noticed that your pain often opens the doors of compassion towards others pain? From wounded places we grow sensitive to the hurts others experience and develop a keen sense of how to respond gently, purposefully, carefully.

[Tweet “God’s plans have a good purpose for our lives. But good does not mean perfect. “]

Good does not mean easy. Good means beneficial. God’s purposes are designed to be of much benefit — in our lives and those around us — especially in terms of eternity.

Because of His love for us, and in response to our love for Him, God has made a plan to bring all things together for good.  He is a God of redemption, bursting forth life from death. Transforming ashes to beauty.  Breaking the darkness with the promise of dawning light.

It is within the nature of God, and because of His sovereignty, that He allows the bad and has a plan to make it good.  He takes our greatest pain, meets us with His healing balm of love, grace, mercy, and hope, and uses it to bring His comfort to us and through us for the sake of someone else.

God uses all our circumstances and experiences to create within us a unique and profound life purpose. Do you know that purpose yet?  How about asking God, “How do you want to use me, in spite of my life’s challenges and because of them, for your glory?” The answer to that question will reveal one way God may be calling you to live a life of impact.

Surrender

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for begrudging the trials in my life. Help me, Lord, to reshape my definition of good so that I look for that of benefit in your kingdom purposes instead of my earthly comfort.  God meet me in my wounded places of disappointment, heartache, trial, and challenge. Heal me from the inside out with Your truth.  And use me, O God, to be a healing vessel of your love to those around me that need you comfort — the same comfort you’ve been faithful to give me. Show me how I can live a life of impact, because of this good you’ve done in my life.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Reflection

Can you pinpoint even one moment of bad in which God brought out something good? Praise Him for it today!