Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
Amazing or awful? My mind can quickly assess what happens to me and label the situation as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ This reaction is normal. Yet the limits of my own interpretations have left me dissatisfied.
For some time now, I have been earnestly pursuing a deeper understanding. Dealing with chronic pain, financial distress, family difficulties and other “bad things” has helped me see how God can deliver joy at ALL times. Experiencing joy even then was like glimpsing precious jewels on a rocky path. Curiously, these ‘bad’ times weren’t all bad.
Jesus stayed with me, teaching me to trust Him and live with a grateful heart. This vision brought me such tangible joy when life was not easy.
Quite acquainted with finding joy in difficulty, I was amazed to experience a series of miracles recently. Our very lives were spared. We were protected from incurring great long-term debt. Undeniably, we are reveling in these “good things.” Just the same, these events have not made our lives stress-free. So also, these things cannot be labeled all good. Waiting for miracles to come along, so all will be OK, just will not work.
My quest for a deeper understanding of the events of life was finally encapsulated so well in this statement: “God takes the seemingly good and the seemingly bad and makes something that is BEST for us.” (Adapted from Dr. W. Kroll, Back to the Bible radio broadcast.)
God wants me to live with contented joy always. I may have much or little. My life may feel awful or down-right amazing. I can expect the best from Him. Jesus is staying with me! I definitely enjoy His presence on the journey.
Study further to gain encouragement
Text version used: NIV. Read it here in The Amplified Version.
Actual quotation from broadcast: “God works all things together for our good, and He does that because He takes what seems to be bad, mixes it with what seems to be good and makes something BETTER of it than either what was bad or good.” Dr. Woodrow Kroll.
Link to listen: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/back-to-the-bible/player/our-new-promise-292591.html
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