God has a good purpose for everything.
Job 2:10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."
The pandemic is still not over. I’ve heard so many comments about how life is just getting so hard because of it. It is indeed very hard for people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. However, for a child of God, it is an opportunity for our Almighty God to turn it into blessings. When we see things from a human perspective, we can easily judge what is good, what is trouble, but from our God’s perspective, nothing is trouble. There is nothing in this world that is too hard for him. Using the pandemic as an example, our God can easily end it in a blink of an eye. Then, there must be a good reason for him not ending it. We know His plan and His will is always good in the end and filled with love towards His people. Instead of whining about why this hasn’t stopped, let’s seek God’s face and how we can participate in his good plan during this time. Maybe it’s for us to rely on Him more and spend more quality time in His word to build a stronger relationship with Him. Maybe it’s for us to pick up the phone and actually talk to our friend about Jesus instead of a like on their Instagram. Maybe it’s for us to grow more patience for the children and be more involved in their education and their journey to know God. Trust that God has a good purpose for everything.
If I were to pick one example in life that always reminded me to trust God and stay close to Him, it would be the story of the month following my honeymoon. My marriage is an international marriage, which we anticipated a lot of difficulties in the process of getting married and living together. We prepared all documents with our best effort, and eventually, we managed to get married, which is a great testimony itself of how God delivered us when it just seems impossible. However, we were separated at the airport after our honeymoon. My husband had to return to Edinburgh by himself and I had to go back to China to apply for another visa to be able to join him. It was terrible. He decided to stay with me at the airport for a bit longer as this was not expected. We were devastated, and we prayed in the airport and God just showed our friend’s Cici’s face. Earlier, we knew that her Dad was not well due to cancer, so I knew that my purpose was to be with Cici. As soon as I got home, she texted me saying that her Dad’s condition got worse, so I flew to her hometown when no one knew how long it would be, but my God knows. Long story short, her Dad was baptised in Jesus name before he passed away and I was able to be with her and her family through the whole thing. Now she is at peace knowing her Dad is with God and how much God loves and cares for her. My time away from my husband after the honeymoon is terrible, but we both agreed that God’s plan is way better because I was able to be there for Cici. Our God is so good.
Like this scripture says, we should openly receive all things that God’s given us and not to be quick into judgement thinking it’s bad. Our God can turn anything into good. The most important thing to do when we receive “trouble” in life is to praise God and listen to His voice. Sometimes He would show us a glimpse of His plan. Sometimes He wouldn’t show us the plan yet, but I assure you He would give you peace that transpasses your understanding if you seek His face. And be alert and be ready to participate in the good plan that he is about to do. A lot of the time, we miss God’s invitation because we are too focused on our own “trouble”. Let us focus on God and trust that He has a good plan for us ALL THE TIME. May God richly bless you!
- Ivy Zhang
