When life seems to take all the wrong turns, it can be easy to believe that God is out to get you. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is for you. He wants to prosper you and bless you. Sometimes, however, the road is full of switchbacks and potholes.
You see, God is for you and He’s for your neighbor and people across the country or world from you. And sometimes He needs to bring us together through shared journeys or experiences, both good and bad.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God is full of compassion for His creation. We have all been through trials and loss that we wish we didn’t have to go through. I have no simple answer for “why bad things happen,” but I do know that God never leaves us in our pain. Not only is He with us, but He is for us and can turn heartache into a chance to be comforted by Him and by His people who have experienced the same suffering. You may then have an opportunity to comfort others in similar situations. This is no small thing and is, in fact, life-bringing and life-changing.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
No matter what strange twist your path has taken, know that God has good plans for your life. He’s not abandoning you nor is He punishing you. He can use any circumstance to bring blessing to your life and to the lives of others.
“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.”
Romans 8:28
God’s purpose includes leading His people safely home. Sometimes that involves sending His faithful soldiers into the darkness to bring light to hopeless situations and show others the way to Him. Ultimately, His plans always lead to your good.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:11-13
God is for you. God loves you. God is a good Father.
If you feel like your life is full of snakes and scorpions, keep persevering and keep seeking God’s face. He turns mourning to joy and gives beauty for ashes, He can turn the worst situations around and bring about blessings you never imaged.
God has good gifts to give you. Trust in His goodness, especially during the hardest trials and coldest winters. God is for you; He will give you strength, wisdom, hope, and peace during the most pressing trials of your life.
May God’s plans for you spark greater trust in His love.