Ever had those moments where you ask “what good can come out of this”? We’ve all heard the scripture “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
But what good can truly come of lying, stealing, murder, cheating, adultery, anger, mistreating children, etc.? What purpose can be created from things like that?
It’s hard to see the good in a situation when you are experiencing it. But remember it is a promise of God. He promised to work things out for us as we love Him and live for Him. As we focus on things that are good and pure (Philippians 4:8), goodness is coming our way.
When I was sexually assaulted, I could see no good in that. When my father died; when I struggled with low self-esteem; when my marriage began to fall apart; when my blood pressure elevated and I was on the verge of having a stroke, nope – no good in any of those situations. But God has used each of those circumstances and allowed me to speak to women in the exact same situation and be a witness that she will come through, if she stays focused. He will work it together for good, if you give Him the opportunity.
You must be intentional!
You must intentionally give Him an opportunity. John Kornfield says it best “intentions lead to behaviors which lead to habits which lead to person
al development which lead to destiny”. You will never make it to your destiny living haphazardly. You will never make it to your destiny holding on to hurt, anger, or pain. These things will keep you stuck in your current situation. They will hinder you from living the purpose God has for you.
Now don’t get it twisted, I have my days where the things I want to forget are so vibrant and in the forefront, that it takes everything in my power to push them aside. But it’s then that I have to make it intentional!! It is then I have to make it deliberate. It has to be done on purpose. It can only be done with God’s help.
Those people that hurt you, you have to intentionally love them. The ones that talked about you, intentionally speak life to them. The ones that told lies on you, intentionally pray for them. For as you deliberately do the right thing, it becomes a behavior to you. As your Godly behaviors develop, they become habits. Your habits will help develop you into the person you were destined to be.
Those things that are the hardest to forgive, are the things God requires that you intentionally give over to Him. He gave us permission to “cast all our cares on Him”. Yet we continue to walk around angry, hard-hearted, and broken. God is ready and able to lighten the load and to mend the hurt.
You cannot do anything to change the past, all you can do is live forward and live an unapologetically good life. A purpose filled life. A life destined for greatness. A life made of intentions.
Until Next Time,
Tina
