I have been thinking about how the Lord uses situations to change us for the better.
You know that point when you are right about something but another may not see it the same way – then with time you find out you are not so right? Sometimes disagreements, different perspectives or point of views can be at the root of conflict.
Perhaps, someone has wronged you. Perhaps some devastation in life has caused loss, too much for words to describe…
Rather than seeking for ways to grow or learn from painful experiences, we would choose to protect ourselves from further embarrassment, shame or any other negative perception we “foresee” on the horizon.
We act on those feeling of eminent threat but in the end, only lock ourselves into a sorrowful defensive mode.
Truth is, God is interested in making us holy. This means that we can be completely filled with love, stability, power, strength, humility and more all at one time.
We wouldn’t be driven by our circumstances but rather the circumstances only contribute to making us better people.
What the devil meant for evil – God uses for good. Just ask Joseph. Sold into slavery by his siblings, only to later become their king.
My first instinct – without the presence of the Holy Spirit – would have been to do harm to them so they could suffer even more than what I experienced.
Does that sound familiar?
Our past hurts can sometimes delude us from enjoying our present status as kings and queens – children of the Most High God and heirs to the royal throne.
When we yield ourselves to the Word of God, He transforms us and changes us for the better… No power of darkness or hell can conquer us because in Christ, we are more than conquerors!
After years in working through service oriented jobs, the Lord has taught me about that abiding perfect, transforming love. The kind that casts out all fear and makes be free from seeking retribution. Nowadays, it is taking less time to identify when my selfish motives are guiding my actions to make me “feel” better versus making choices that honour God as He causes me to prosper in all I do.
Today dear friend, I encourage you to take a different look at your circumstances and ask yourselves a few things that have helped me over the years:
What is this present challenge teaching me?
How can I demonstrate love in-spite of how I am feeling?
Is my behaviour seeking revenge?
Am I forgiving as much as I have been forgiven by God?
Apply these questions to your marriages, home-life, church family, work setting – wherever you go!
Be encouraged and know that you may go into a thing one way but with God leading you, you will come out transformed and better than you could ever imagine.
Like a caterpillar in enters cocoon, and leaves changed with wings, one day you will look back in amazement, and soar over things you once had to crawl through. Open your heart to the process of God and Stay connected to Him.
Have a blessed day!
Stay Connected to God 