Verse of the Week
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
Have you ever taken a wrong turn and were late to your destination only to learn there was a horrible wreck on the route you should have taken at the very time you would have been on that stretch of road? Or gone through a bad illness only to come out on the other side, healthy and with your faith strengthened because you had to rely on God in the midst of the battle? Or maybe had a heartbreak that seemed the end of the world only to meet your soul mate a few months later?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have had a Romans 8:28 experience!
You can likely recall circumstances that only hindsight reveals how carefully God was sculpting a masterpiece from what looked like rubble.
My kids experienced this while in college. My son did not get accepted into the songwriting program at the college he attended, but he gained skills for the career he didn’t even know was his true heart’s desire. My daughter transferred to a university that offered the major she wanted. Once there, she found that this was not her calling but discovered her true strengths and is now thriving in a career that allows her artistic talents to shine. God was in the background, quietly rearranging puzzle pieces.
Each of us will walk through trying, frightening, painful and difficult times. Some of our own making through wrong choices; some from the actions of others who, intentionally or not, bring harm to us; some simply from living in a fallen world where bad things happen to good people. But, God is always working in the background to bring about good—for us, for others, for His purpose.
Live it out this Week
Take time to look for silver lining moments where God brought good from a perfect storm.
Consider any setbacks you are experiencing this year. 2020 has handed out setbacks like candy! Find the benefits that God is bringing into your life, your family, work, friends, or church. Has your reliance on God increased? Has not being able to attend church resulted in you taking more responsibility for your own spiritual growth through Bible reading/study and prayer? Has social distancing caused you to better appreciate every interaction you have with someone outside your immediate circle?
Read the story of Joseph (Genesis 37; 39-50). See how God worked every negative circumstance to bring great good to many. Reflect on Joseph’s response to his brothers at the end of the story (Genesis 50:19-20). He beautifully depicts his Romans 8:28 experience, millennia before that scripture was written!
Prayer
Father, I trust You to work all the circumstances of my life for good because You faithfully redeem even my worst failures and most difficult circumstances. Help me to see that You are placing all the pieces—even the bent, torn, dirty and discarded ones—into the beautiful puzzle of Your purpose for me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Lisa Urbani
OnScripture
Gina Cash
On Scripture 
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