We live on an imperfect earth. Humanity’s choices have lead the world away from God’s original set up for us, and that means that we have to deal with set-backs and disappointments created for us by this fallen state of being. The astounding thing is, God is still with us in all of that. He is grabbing hold of the negative and difficult situations that we find ourselves facing, and turning them into something that can become a part of His goodness, and our restoration. Romans 8:28 says: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (NIV). That is God’s promise to us, not that we’ll never face difficulties, but that He’s pulling together this broken world into something that works for His good. Because of this, we can know that the darkest situation we could see right now will be completely engulfed in His light. Like 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says: ‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’ When we’re facing troubles it can be challenging to fix our eyes on the things unseen, rather than what we’re facing. Our problems can seem huge and overwhelming, but our God is bigger. So let’s try and keep focused on God, the good things He can do through the troubles and the light He can pour into our darkness.

What Now?

Read through those few verses from 2 Corinthians very slowly, three times through. If anything in particular sticks out to you, spend some time praying over it.