We all deal with an unfair situation, some people have had a challenging upbringing, a dream that did not work out and things we don’t understand. Other times we are waiting for a desired result, and everything seems normal. Whatever God allows He has a use for it! The bible says, “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.” Romans 8:23
Everything you have gone through is guiding you to where God is leading you. It may not be pleasant, it may not be just, but God will use it to set you up for the task he has assigned you. Thoughts will whisper, It’s too late now. It’s not working, you had your opportunity; just accept it. God is not done with you, no. Your challenges are making you stronger and the experience is not a waste.
The delay is positioning you for better things rather than a waste of time. The betrayal, the separation, the loss, sure it was terrible but it wasn’t for nothing. You developed insight, knowledge, and wisdom. What you still have is miraculous; the miracle is not in what you lost. You will come out stronger, more faith-filled, more brave, more morally aware, and more passionate.
You will not come out the same. It’s easy to become resentful, live depressed, or say pastor, they abandon me. My upbringing was not particularly wonderful. I lost a dear one and it shattered my heart. You cannot manage all of this; life will always happen; this is when you have to remember that God is in charge and He would not have permitted it if He lacked a use for it.
Nothing in your life will be without purpose. I can’t promise you there won’t be seasons of challenges or seasons that are unfair, but I can assure you: if you maintain the correct attitude, you will emerge better. In tough times, we grow more than in the good times. Where we are being stressed and stretched, we have to dig down deep and pass the test. There, God get us ready for our destiny and the mission ahead!
We would be unable to enter into the fullness of what he has planned without those challenges. Jesus prayed over a child’s small meal in Matthew chapter 14:17-21. Five loaves of bread and two fish; God increased the food and fed approximately 5,000 people, a tremendous miracle. Jesus instructed the disciples, gather up the fragments so nothing would be wasted after they had all eaten.
Why would Jesus care about the remnants or the fragments? He is God; He just increased the small food. If He wanted more, He could produce more fresh and new quantity, not this leftover food. He was teaching us this idea I am the God with no waste but has use for everything that happens.
The pieces seem not useful… what is left over; the broken pieces of our lives. The child who strayed, the contract that failed to go through, the connection that fell apart. We feel down, wounded and broken. God tells the angels to gather up those leftovers. He is going to take that challenging time of your life and turn it into something beautiful.
You might have things in your life that seem like leftovers, things you would rather forget about, errors you made, how someone treated you, the business that never went through, that’s painful, there were solitary evenings, you considered leaving those leftovers and the broken piece of your life, No, God says; I will not let you suffer and come out the same.
Collect those fragments together. God can create miracles from a blunder, although it seems wasted and not helpful. He can bring beauty from shattered pieces. He can propel you toward your mission by using those challenges. That’s how our God works…
Events we go through that appear as though there is no good in them, no good in this illness, pastor. No good comes from the death of my beloved one. No good comes from this lightning that damages my electronics or this storm that causes damage to my house. Our God focuses on the bits to produce good. You might be in a season that is unjust right now: it’s painful, lonely, and you are not making any progress.
Though you cannot see it right now, it is doing something in you: you are becoming stronger, you are growing, you are developing more faith, trust, and perseverance. It’s getting you ready for where God is leading you. Do the right thing when it’s difficult now. Pardon when they do not merit it. Smile instead of being angry. Praise in place of complaint. That is passing the test.
BEAUTY FROM THE BROKEN PIECES!
He will create beauty from the broken pieces. He makes no waste. Though it is genuine, it will not be wasted. Though it is challenging, the struggle produces positive results. That is difficult, the treachery, the loss, the disease, but your narrative does not end here. God is gathering the leftovers right now; healing is on the way; breakthroughs are on the way; new beginnings; the proper people; victory is on the way.
Although you may not grasp everything that comes your way, you can be sure: God is not going to waste it. Many times what seems like a hindrance is really a setup for what God is about to do. It is getting you ready and set for something bigger. God knows who you will need and what you will need; thus, stay in faith.
You have to believe God isn’t going to squander the suffering, He is not going to waste the effort, He is not going to waste the errors, the regrets, things you would do differently if you could, you would select better. The good news is that God focuses on collecting the leftovers. He knows how to assemble items back, how to draw beauty out of the ashes, how to take a miracle from a mess.
I read about a pastor couple and their nine-year-old son who were involved in a terrible vehicle crash. Her back was broken, her neck crushed, and most of her facial bones shattered. Sadly, the son did not survive; he passed away. They were devastated and never imagined they would be dealing with so much suffering and grief.
God’s grace enabled his wife to totally recover. She is healthy and they are running a thriving church. They were invited to give a presentation at a church conference. They told the congregation how God had helped them to make it through the accident. Eventually, they encouraged individuals to come forward to accept Christ.
A young guy came down with tears streaming down his face. Telling the pastor and his wife, he has their son’s kidneys, “You told all the recipients of your son’s organs, through letters to get in touch if we wished, but I never did.” This young man was near death and very ill; he had lived a life of drugs. One night unable to get up, he prayed, God, if you will help me; I will dedicate my life to you.
He crept on the ground to respond to a call and it was the hospital telling him that they had discovered a kidney for him. He underwent this excellent transplant. He had still never fulfilled that pledge after several months had passed. She first said no when he was invited to the conference but his sister urged him to come to church that evening. He experienced something so intense, pushing him to attend.
Though they did not know the speaker, he descended the aisle that evening and gave his life to Christ. Taking the wife’s hand, he set it on his side and remarked, You can feel your son; he is still giving me life. This is a fresh start for me; through this healing, wholeness, God has brought greatness from the burnt remains and leftovers of my life.
God is not going to waste anything you go through. He is a God who gathers the remnants; He will take those broken bits, the leftovers, what appears to us as useless, and still create something wonderful from it. You might be in a tough spot right now; God has not forgotten about you; where you are is not where you will end up. Now, during the wilderness seasons, trust him. Act correctly even when you lack understanding.
If God were not going to bring some sort of good out of it, He would not have allowed it. If you just keep moving forward in faith, knowing that God is in control, I decree and declare: every challenge and opposition in your life shall turn into miracles. You will complete your mission, enter your Promise Land and fulfil all you were created to be in Jesus’ name
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift His countenance upon you, And give you peace”
