You are NOT an accident of nature,
a purposeless animal
on an insignificant planet
orbiting a backwater star
in an utterly average galaxy.
NO.
You were anticipated, planned for,
and crafted for incredible divine purposes.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10 NIV
God not only knows you, he knew you before you were even born — He exquisitely crafted you to be YOU.
For you created my inmost being;
. . . you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
. . . your works are wonderful,
. . . I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
. . . when I was made in the secret place,
. . . when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
. . . all the days ordained for me were written in your book
. . . before one of them came to be. — Psalm 139:13-16 NIV
He has deftly adapted the damage you’ve done to yourself to create a tool perfectly designed for his use.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. — Romans 8:28-29 NIV
When something bad happens, look for God’s purpose or re-working of it. I call this “putting on your Kingdom goggles.”
Look at the situation from an eternal perspective:
- Is it really significant or just temporarily unpleasant?
- Could there be an eternal benefit?
A horrible experience may make you perfectly prepared to minister to someone else:
- Your strength may aid someone not as strong.
- Your patient endurance may minister to others.
- The experience may shape your character in the likeness of Christ.
[W]e know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3-4
You may never be able to discover it in this life, but you can trust that God has a Master plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
Ask yourself: “Would I have willingly accepted this burden if HE asked me to?”
You probably would.
SoSaysSunny 