One of my least favorite sayings is, “It’s all good!”
I am tempted to respond, “Hell no, it’s NOT all good—there is way too much hell! BUT there is good in the midst and God will make it all vastly good!”
God did not create evil, nor did He intend His kids to suffer because of it.
Evil happened in humanity as Adam/Eve turned away from God, Who is Goodness/Light/Love/Truth. They created their own delusional shadow of reality and got lost in it, in their lived experience, as if it were truth.
Evil still happens when we turn away from God, Who is Goodness/Light/Love/Truth. We still create our own delusional shadows and get lost in it, as if it is truth.
But God is everywhere.
Love and Light are all around us and in us.
It is our blindness that needs to be healed for us to see the Person that transcends it all and is redeeming ALL (John 1:1, Phil. 2:9–11, and Eph 1:7–10).
In this present experiential reality, He is there in the midst. He is engaging with us and taking on our points of pain (Heb. 13:5 and Rom. 8:18). Moreover, He is causing us to be upgraded as we come through it (Rom. 8:28–29).
He didn’t cause the evil, but, by God Himself, He will use it for our benefit!
Sin messes with His kids, but we will see benefits that surely recompense, eventually!
This happens all the quicker as we lean on Him to forgive (people, ourselves, God, …) and partner with how He is healing us and His redemptive purposes in it.
Romans 8:28 (The Passion Translation) says:
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
(emphasis added)
This is a harmonious interworking that only God can do. It often can only be seen with any clarity in the rear-view mirror.
Think about the things that should have taken you out, but somehow, something amazing happened as a result—the fullness of which has not yet been seen.
This requires trusting God where we can’t see fully, in our pain. And God is constantly stretching us in this—for our good! The pain will NOT last forever! But we and the good are eternal! Can I get a hallelujah?!
Isaiah 61:3–4 and 7–8 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) says:
3 To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
4 And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
7 Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them.
(emphasis added)
God upgrades your:
- mourning to joy
- ashes to beauty
- burdened spirit to a spirit of praise
You get to:
- be planted as a strong glorious oak, a display of splendor
- rebuild, raise up, and renew devastations of former generations
You get:
- a double recompense for former shame
- rejoicing instead of dishonor and reproach
- doubly compensated for what you have forfeited
- everlasting joy
Romans 8:37 (TPT) says:
Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!
(emphasis added)
Brian Simmons comments here on this verse:
Love has made us more than conquerors in four ways:
(1) No situation in life can defeat us or dilute God’s love.
(2) We know that divine love and power work for us to triumph over all things.
(3) We share in the victory spoils of every enemy we face (Isa. 53:12).
(4) We have conquered the Conqueror with merely a glance of our worshiping eyes. We have won his heart (Song. 4:9; 6:5).
and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!
I encourage you to encourage yourself by looking back at the incredible victories you have seen. If you are having a hard time remembering, ask the Lord to remind you. And according to the One Who loves you and gave Himself up for you, the best is TRULY yet to come!
I hope this has strengthened and inspired you!
I’d love to hear your story!
Much love,
Catherine
I am so very glad!