something positive out of the negatives…

GOD has the big picture when it comes to pain and suffering and we don’t. we’re limited by our perspective. we have finite minds and experiences.

we don’t many times understand when GOD allows things to happen in our life. it’s because HE loves us, because HE’s disciplining us, trying to get us on the right track. and we blame HIM and curse HIM for the things that have happened to us. why? because we don’t have the big picture. and that's reality.

but when we do have the big picture our attitude is going to change – someday in eternity, when we have the big picture. listen to these words of joni erickson tada, “every sorrow we face will one day prove to be the best possible thing that could have happened to us. we will thank GOD endlessly in heaven for the trials HE sent us here. this is not disneyland. this is the truth!” this is from a woman who was paralyzed as a teen, who is well acquainted with pain and suffering.

GOD can accomplish something positive out of the negatives of life. HE does this by fulfilling the promise HE makes in romans 8.28 (niv), 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. GOD’s saying HE can take the bad circumstances that befall us and HE can cause good to emerge if we are committed to HIM and committed to HIS purposes.

the old testament gives a wonderful illustration of this in the life of joseph. joseph was a guy who was sold into slavery by his own brothers. then he’s falsely accused of a crime, falsely imprisoned, twelve years of pain and horrible suffering. then he’s elevated to a role of great authority where he finally can save the lives of the very brothers who had sold him into slavery and many other people.

this is what he says in genesis 50.20 (niv) to his brothers about the sufferings that he went through: you intended to harm me, but GOD intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. you intended it for bad but GOD intended to use it for good. and if you’re committed to GOD, then HE promises to take whatever pain you experience in your life and to draw good from it.

just a thought from the front porch…