Expect GodSample

I have learned that God’s goodness is not based around my present circumstance. The seasons of life include both good and bad times. Life is full of contrasts. We go through mountains and we go through valleys. We go through successes and we go through failures. We have wins and we have losses. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can change the fact that God is good. 

God met me in my darkest pain and taught me to hope. God can take even the bad things and, in the proper season, turn them around and use them for good in the way He intends.

I have been through times of suffering and certainly didn't see much beauty in them, but after a few years, God's purposes were fulfilled and the true beauty of the experience was revealed.

Think of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. He was sold as a slave by his brothers, forced to do a servant's work in Egypt, and thrown into prison because of a vicious lie.

It seemed such an ugly, hopeless picture! But God was at work, and ultimately the beauty of the whole picture was revealed. Joseph was able to say to his brothers, "You meant it to me for evil, but God meant it for good." God made Joseph's experiences beautiful in His time.

Think of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. His enemies lied about him and brought false witnesses into court. 

As Stephen tried to tell them about Christ, they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. What an ugly scene—that hateful mob throwing stones at an innocent man. But God made it beautiful in His time, for as the result of Stephen's shining face, Saul of Tarsus was saved and became the great apostle Paul.

If you are in the will of God, no matter how dark your situation may be, remember this: God has a plan, God has a purpose, and God will make everything beautiful in His time.