You Might Die in your Troubles, but you Might Live Too.

Romans 8:28 - (ESV): " And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Yesterday in church, I learned what Romans 8:28 really means, and I was not surprised, as I always assumed that is what it meant to begin with.

Paul is NOT telling us that all our problems will be fixed. He is telling us all of GOD'S problems will be fixed by his using us.

Aside from the good news that God wins, and we are his, that is a little sad. To drive the point home, the pastor also quoted, " And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Tada, he says. God did not even rescue Jesus, so why would he rescue you. See, it is all about God!

For sure, it is all about God. I was very down heartened, and started doubting my faith. I began thinking I was less than a Christian, because I was putting all my worldly hopes onto God's shoulders too. I even remembered Daniel 3:16-18 " Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

They were even willing to die for the Lord, even if he did not rescue them.

You see, in my life, right now, I am in way over my head. I can not get out of the trap I am in, and now one can help me. Only God. I am not saying, Help me God, and if not, it is ok. I am saying, "Help Me God."

So I began to feel even less of a Christian. Maybe there is not hope. I am not afraid of death, and I was starting to look forward to it. Rather be with God than in this mess. Again.

Then it hit me.

John 11:1-6 - (ESV): "Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was."

Lazarus was brought back to life. God did help. In the flesh. 

Buck up Christian.  It is all about God, and God will use your suffering to make you stronger, to help his needs, but he also fixes things in the world.  Your world.  There is hope, and if not, there is hope in eternal life.


Wait a minute. God helped the three in the furnace too. I forgot.

Just because there examples in the Bible where God lets us feel the pain, does not mean we are always going to feel the pain.  He asks that we follow him, and believe that in the end, it works out for God's best interest ... and that God's best interest is also you best interest.