“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.” Romans 8:28
All things work together for good? This has to be one of the hardest statements to believe when going through a rough patch.
The mother who holds her dead baby in her arms. How can she understand this? The young girl whose life has been turned upside down, because some monster of a man thought he had the right to snatch away her innocence, fast-forwarding her into a world of adulthood, a world that had no right to be so prematurely graced with her presence! How can she make sense of this?
I’m reminded of a story I once heard. A young boy came dashing inside, hungry after playing ball with his mates outside. Mother was busy preparing the ingredients for the
baking of a chocolate cake. Hunger and impatience are a compelling combination within the makeup of a young boy, so he urged mom to let him taste just a little bit of the cocoa powder that smelled so absolutely inviting. Mother warned him against this, but since all 6 year olds know way more than their mums, he insisted and she relented.
The expression of exciting expectation soon turned to disgusted disappointment as the lad discovered the truth of his mum’s warning. That which smelled so good certainly did not taste as such. The sweetness of the aroma clashed with the bitterness of the taste!
He desperately stuck his finger in the pure white powder in the bowl on the countertop in the hope that it would serve to allay the bitterness of the cocoa powder. Alas! The discovery was soon made: Bicarbonate of Soda could offer no sweetness to a bitter situation.
The mother, seeing her son’s disappointment, encouraged him to come back an hour later. He did so.
There on the table stood the most delectable, decadent, delightful cake. How had mum accomplished this apparent miracle? She had taken the bitter cocoa powder, the revolting bicarbonate of soda, as well as other bitter ingredients. To this she had added some sugar and chocolate chips and mixed them all together. After doing all she could, she then placed these in the oven, and the baking process did the rest. The end result was this delicious treat!
Isn’t life like that, dear friend? We go through stuff in life, experiences which in and of themselves are bitter and painful. There’s no way out, it seems.
You may be going through that right now. That which appeared pleasant to the eye and sweet to the smell, turned out to be vile and pungent when tasted. What can be done? Friend, it’s time to hand that pain and bitterness to Father God. What He does is take that pain you’re going through. To that He adds His Mercy that’s new every morning; His blessing that makes rich and adds no sorrow; His peace that passes all understanding; His Grace that is sufficient. He “mixes” it all together so to speak and at the end of the process of testing, you come through victoriously.
The scars may be there,sure. However, in ways unthinkable, the joy that is achieved, is indeed unspeakable and full of glory. Out of that experience is birthed a testimony that will serve to speak into the situations of others and to the glory of God!
I don’t know how, where or when, but this one thing I know: God Who has promised is faithful. He can and will take that which you are going through and use it for your good and for His glory.