Plot Twist: It's Working Out For Your Good
Romans 8:28 (NLT) "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."
This verse is a promise from God. According to the dictionary, a promise is "a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen." In this season of my life, God is constantly reminding me of His declaration and assurance. He is reminding me there is a plot twist with my name on it and He is continuously working through all things for my good, even the things the enemy intended for evil.
I've been wrestling with challenges and have been facing disappointments that lead me to question whether or not I am still under God's favor. I've been feeling like everything around me is falling apart, that all my efforts have been in vain and my best has not been enough. When you repeatedly feel this way you may start to lose hope in the purpose God has for you and faith in His promises. That's where I've been until recently.
God's promises are easy to understand and believe until they don't mirror certain parts of your reality. I've found myself in situations that make me look to God and ask:
- "You said You only have plans to prosper me and to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), then why doesn't my future feel promising?"
- "You said if I ask in prayer and believe that I've received it, then it will be mine (Mark 11:24), then why do I feel like my prayers haven't been answered?"
- "You said I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), then why do I feel defeated?"
- "You said that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), then why do I feel so inadequate?"
These are a few of the MANY questions I've found myself asking God and here's how He answers every time:
- "You said You only have plans to prosper me and to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), then why doesn't my future feel promising?"
- Romans 8:28
- "You said if I ask in prayer and I believe that it will be mine (Mark 11:24), then why do I feel like my prayers haven't been answered?"
- Romans 8:28
- "You said I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37), then why do I feel defeated?"
- Romans 8:28
- "You said that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), then why do I feel so inadequate?"
- Romans 8:28
God's Promises > Our Feelings
Notice how after every promise I speak of my feelings. God is telling me that the way I feel about the things I'm going through does not accurately depict what's happening in the spiritual realm. He is telling me that although you feel defeated everything is working out for your good, although you feel inadequate everything is working out for your good, although you feel like your prayers haven't been answered everything is working out for your good. God wants us to realize that there is nothing that we will face that won't end up working out on our behalf. We need to remind ourselves that the race is already rigged in our favor, we are already victorious. We cannot let the troubles that come our way give us amnesia on what God has proclaimed. There is nothing you're going through that undermines His promise for you.
God's Reality
God understands that life is hard, He's not dismissing that. This is why He made it very clear that our reality isn't always His reality and when it looks like everything is falling apart, it's simply coming together for our good. The Amplified translation of this verse says, "And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose." God is deeply concerned about every detail of our lives and He wants us to have great confidence, unshakeable faith, in His plan and purpose for us. He orchestrates everything that happens in our lives and even the things we can't see the good in, He works out in our favor. We need to have the type of faith that makes people think we're crazy. Some people may look at your situation and think there's no way they're going to get out of that, but let God's reality be your new reality. God knows how to restore everything the enemy convinced you that you lost, so when it looks like you're losing you know that you're winning because He has already gone before you and worked it out!
For His Glory
I've made mistakes in my life that I thought I could never come back from. Mistakes that I thought would have a detrimental effect on my future but I'm thankful I serve a faithful God. A God that needs and uses our mistakes for His glory and our good. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me." See, this is why I love God so much. He wants all of you, not just the great parts of you. He wants to take your mistakes, your insecurities, and all your weaknesses and show you how powerful He is by turning it around for your benefit. I have mentees that come to me all the time worried about the grades they've received. They feel like they won't get the internship or job they want and I tell them that God will use those grades to surprise you and those around you. He will take the GPA you have and give you your dream job, so when people ask how you did it the only person that will get the credit and the glory is God. The shortcomings that you thought would hold you back, God will take those things to advance you in your purpose. There is nothing in our lives that is too bad for God to use for our good.
Ultimately, God wants us to know that despite what it may look like now, He is working everything out for your good, His glory, and your purpose.
REFLECTION
Here are a few scriptures that you can reflect on this week when challenges arise:
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."
- Whenever you feel overwhelmed, give it to God. Simply say, "God, I can't do this on my own so I surrender it all to you." Ask Him to help you carry your burdens. Whether it's school, work, or relationships, God has your back and He wants you to have faith that He will come through for you. You don't have to do it alone, He's here to help because He cares about you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT) "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
- A few weeks ago I was listening to a sermon by Sarah Jakes Roberts and she said whenever you feel alone or abandoned, it's only because God has gone ahead of you. God never wants us to be afraid or discouraged, these are feelings of the enemy. He wants us to have confidence in what He's doing and what He has already done. Whenever feelings of neglect or hopelessness arise, use this scripture as your backbone. Tell your emotions and your situation that you will not be afraid or discouraged because you know that God has gone before you and He will never fail you.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done."
- Growing up my mom always said that we should talk to God like it's already done. If you're worried about a job interview, instead of talking to God through the lens of worry, speak to him through the lens of thanksgiving. Say, God, thank you for making me more than a conqueror and letting Your will be done in my life. A lot of times when we're in the midst of difficulties our first response is to stress out and fear, but God is telling us that we should do the complete opposite. Instead of drowning yourself in anxiety, immerse yourself in prayer and in the Word of God. In Matthew 6 God says, can worrying add a single hour to your life? Spoiler alert, the answer is no. However, when we pray, it not only changes our situation but it also shifts our minds and our hearts to be more hopeful for what He has planned.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and Your unwavering promises. Lord, thank You for giving us hope for what You've already accomplished. Father, I pray that as we face challenges we will not let our feelings get in the way of Your truth. We will be reminded that You are sovereign and have control over every area of our lives. We will continue to have great confidence in Your plan and purpose for us. In everything, we go through please remind us that it is all working out for our good. There is nothing in our lives that You won't use for our favor and we thank You for that. Amen!
Stay Blessed,
God's Vessel