Have you ever thought about why there is so much pain and struggle on earth? I think, at one time or another, everyone has pondered this. No Bible devotion can answer that question completely, but here’s my take. It begins when you allow God to use you – through it all. Allow Him to use it all – the good the bad, etc.
Life can be hard…allow God to use you in it and after it.
Life’s challenges, wounds, and stresses often make you question your very existence in Christ. You can lose yourself.
However, in my opinion, the answer is in embracing the struggle through the power of the Holy Spirit. Lord knows I can’t embrace it on my own. I need Him to help me. Somehow, deep down I know my struggle is helping me and will help me later down the road.
In fact, sometimes, struggle propels you toward your life purpose or greatness!
I think it was/is/shall be part of your purpose…
Think of it this way. In God’s sovereignty, everything that happens in your life, through your life and because of your life is filtered through His love and purpose for you. Nothing is by mistake. Nothing is wasted.
So, each pain, rejection, sickness, and strain is likely part of His plan. Sure, we can live carnally and escort despair into our world; but that’s a completely different circumstance than what I’m referring to here.
I’m talking about viewing the pains of life that just….come as opportunities to allow God to use you.
You know the struggles I mean.
Those you had nothing to do with.
Those troubles you didn’t ask for and Lord knows you can’t seem to stop.
When that stuff comes out of the “blue”
All that mess is likely all part of His plan to conform you into His image and into the person He created you to become. Just trust Him and allow God to use you in and through it all. Know it has a purpose – a reason.
Think of Joseph (Gen. 37-50).
As a young [silly] boy, God gave him a glimpse of his purpose. It was a fantastic purpose of leadership and becoming head of many things – including his family.
But, what did Joseph do?
He went and told his brothers all about it. #Dummy
Well, needless to say, they didn’t care much for his dream of leadership and power over them.
He spoke too soon and the result was catastrophic! I’m talking years and years of suffering. Poor kid.
God had a purpose…He allowed it all.
You know, I think (note: my opinion) God had to humble Joseph through life’s adversity so he would know what hunger felt like, what rejection felt like and what forgiveness felt like.
Only then, could God use him for a greater purpose and destiny.
If Joseph had never suffered his trials, do you think he would have governed Egypt with the wisdom and compassion in which he did?
some good and some bad.
He allowed God to use Him!
Further, do you think he would have shown grace to his hungry brothers had he not known hunger at one time in his own life? He allowed God to use him not only after the struggle but also in it!
Did you know in jail, he offered to help the cupbearer and the head baker? Read Genesis 40! He interpreted dreams because he “noticed” they were sad. He let God use him…even in his lowest state of being.
Just like sunflowers follow the sun, we should follow the “SON” and allow Him to use every part of our lives.
Back to you and me.
Could it be your struggle might be part of God’s plan for you now and in the future?
Maybe your struggle with your health, marriage, job, dating life, ministry, addiction, habits, rejection, etc. is a strategic part of God’s plan to propel you into your purpose?
See, my poem wasn’t in vain. 🙂
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