God Can Work It Out for Good

The rose is certainly one of the most beautiful and desired flowers God has created, yet every rose grows with thorns. I think life is similar. Each of us must decide if we can be thankful for the rose while dealing with the thorns.

I’ve come to believe that we would have no appreciation or gratitude for life’s good times if we never experienced difficulties. Many of us are extremely grateful for all that God has done for us in Christ because we did have difficult and painful lives. God has given us “beauty for ashes,” as He promised (Isaiah 61:3), meaning that He will take all the ugliness we have experienced in life and create something beautiful from it. The truth is, there is nothing bad that can happen to you that God can’t turn into something good.

I encourage you to read the story of Joseph in Genesis Chapters 37-50. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and it looked like his life was ruined. But time and again, God took Joseph’s situation and used it to elevate him to a better place. He was eventually promoted to be second in command over all of Egypt! Not only did the situation ultimately turn out well for Joseph himself, but it also enabled him to save many people’s lives—including his own family—during a severe famine.

You may not yet be able to see how your trial or problem could become a blessing, but I encourage you to have faith and trust God to create the beauty out of the suffering. Develop and maintain a thankful heart in the midst of it, and you will be amazed by the way God can use it for good.

In case you’re tempted to think that I don’t know what you are going through, let me share a little history from my life:

Growing up, I was sexually abused by my father for approximately 15 years. My mother was aware of the situation, but because she was afraid of him, she did nothing. I left home at age 18, as soon as I graduated high school.

Soon afterward, I married the first boy who showed any interest in me. As it turned out, he had many issues and was dishonest and unfaithful. After five years of marriage, one miscarriage and giving birth to a baby boy, I divorced that man. Thankfully, I did meet and marry Dave Meyer, to whom I have been married since 1967. I was one huge thorn when we married, but thankfully Dave only saw roses. He loved God and he loved me unconditionally.

This was the beginning of the healing of my wounded soul and broken life.

I’ve had breast cancer, two hip replacements, a minor back surgery, a hysterectomy, and a very difficult experience with menopause. I’ve experienced rejection, abandonment, abuse, betrayal, and lots of other unpleasant experiences. But I’m still here, and I love Jesus more than ever. I’ve had the great privilege of teaching God’s Word for almost 50 years, and that alone has been worth anything I had to go through to get to where I am now.

This is my story, and I know you have your story, too. But our stories are still being written, so even if you don’t like the first few chapters of yours, remember that your life isn’t over yet. The ending is always the best part, and it will end well.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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” (NIV).

_{Adapted from the book The Power of Thank You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2022 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.}