When we watch a movie, don’t we feel so much better if it has a happy ending?
People needing hope love to hear stories of healed marriages, healing from cancer, and healing from addiction.
When we know healing lies ahead, we have more reason to persevere through our trial- because of that hope.
So what happens when the addiction is ongoing, the cancer spreads, or the marriage falls apart?
When healing occurs, we may be quick to say, ”God is so good- see the healing?”
But when healing doesn’t happen, do we assume God is less good? Do we think less of Him because he didn’t come through? That He failed us or doesn’t love us?
Life may not always go according to our plans, as most of us know. Even though we love the happy endings, not all of them are Cinderella stories.
But guess what? God is STILL good- His character hasn’t changed. His plan still has good in store for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
If your struggle has drawn you closer to the God of all comfort- if you have been forced to depend completely on Him- perhaps that was God’s intention all along?
We may be in a better place having gone through the pain. It may not seem so- in the midst of it, but God knows what He’s doing. He knows the outcome. He wants you close to Him. Let Him do His good work in you.