Gratitude Is the Lifeline to Joyනියැදිය

Day 3: I’m Glad It Didn’t Work Out

By Brant Hansen

Read: Romans 8:26-30

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 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. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Reflection:

After further review (some NFL lingo for you there), I’m thankful for some really bad stuff that happened.

And not only that, I’m thankful for a lot of good stuff that didn’t.

It hurt, but I’m glad I didn’t get that office management job a long time ago. I thought it would be God’s way of helping me provide for my family. I was a finalist. I had it all worked out. It made so much sense. When I got the news that they didn’t pick me, it stung. I had to do something else (like become a radio announcer, or DJ, or whatever we call it).

Looking back, Man, am I glad they didn’t pick me. I might not have been terrible, but I’m pretty sure I’m more cut out for what I’m doing now.

I’m glad that person in high school broke my heart. I had a crush I found very attractive. I thought we might someday marry. My crush did not feel the same way, did not find me very attractive, and did not think we would someday marry. Looking back, I’m really glad it didn’t work out. No way, if you asked me in high school, I would have thought I’d ever, ever, be glad about that.

I’m sure you can make a list like this. “Awesome Stuff I Wanted to Happen But Wow Am I Glad It Didn’t Work Out.” In fact, you should probably make that list. It’s helpful to remind ourselves of the faithfulness of God, especially when things aren’t seemingly going our way. We can remind ourselves that there’s been a bigger story before, so there’s probably a bigger story now, too.

One thing I never thought I’d be thankful for, but now am: I’m thankful for my Autism Spectrum diagnosis. It’s often been painful, socially –especially growing up– but God has used my experiences to shape me. You know what? I wouldn’t change it.

I was raised around a lot of religious hypocrisy. God has used that, too. I feel like everything I say simply must be what I actually believe, or I won’t say it. I think that’s been helpful.

It’s not a cliche, it’s a promise: “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,” Paul writes in Romans 8:28. It doesn’t mean He smiles at tragedy or hurt.

It does mean He can redeem it.