Remember that God Promises to Bring Purpose Out of Every Hard Place
As
believers in Christ, we can hold fast to this promise. God will never
waste our pain. He will turn it around for good. Every battle. Every
hard place. Every dark time. Every painful storm. He will never allow us
to walk through deep struggle without allowing it to bring greater hope
and purpose, both in our own lives and through our place in this
world.
Every mark of darkness is redeemed when we’re in Christ.
He does best. He brings beauty and strength, hope and goodness from
every difficult journey and broken day. Our past will not define us. The
trial itself will not label us. We are only defined by our Lord who
lifts us out of the deep, who brings us through the fire, who takes us
straight out of the darkness, into greater purpose and blessing up
ahead. Restored. Redeemed. Renewed. Repurposed.
“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.”
Talk to God and Pray His Words Back to Him
Sometimes
when we’re hurting most we don’t even know how to pray. We’re at a loss
for words, our hearts are broken, our spirits grieved. But we can find
strength in knowing that Christ Himself intercedes for us when we don’t
know what to pray. And just opening God’s words and praying His truths
back to Him is so powerful and effective. We’re speaking out living
words straight into the darkness we find ourselves in. It renews our
minds, it comforts our hearts, it brings peace to our spirits.
Recently
when our family was walking through a very difficult trial, I found
myself there. Night after night, I was awakened by the deep hurt and
pain in my heart. I prayed, I cried, I longed just to sleep again. But
often, the only thing I found that could bring peace and comfort to my
spirit was God’s Word. I would say out loud every verse that came to my
mind, praying His powerful reminders back to Him.
would awaken, the Bible still laying open, right over my heart. It
didn’t instantly make all our problems go away, when I woke up, they
were still there. But through time, I realized this: my mind, heart, and
spirit were being renewed day by day, night by night. His peace,
healing, and comfort were washing over me every time I spoke his words,
believing them to be true.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but
in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:6-7
[written by Debbie McDaniel]
