I don’t believe there are any coincidences in life. God knows all, and certainly the things we cannot choose, were choosen by Him. He knit us in our mother’s womb.
I was born into an abusive home, then lived in an abusive marriage, and I will tell you that today, I see that all the sorrow and terrible things that I endured, have brought me closer to God. The journey I traveled, with Him, has taught me that He can transform any life, and use all the horrible things in our lives for a purpose. God does not want evil to befall us, but there is evil in this fallen world. But, God uses all things for good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose.
**Romans 8:28
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.
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What is the reason? I believe all things here on earth are meant to bring Him glory. Because of sin, it doesn’t always work out that way…at least not from what we can see. But, I do believe, when Jesus in ‘all in all’ we will see how all things did work for good, somehow.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
One day, I was distraught by something that happened at my job. I was praying and crying out to God…how could I escape the terrible coping skills I had learned growing up, which seemed to keep hindering me. But, while in my despair, I realized that God was telling me, very powerfully, that ‘they’ did not raise me, but rather, God raised me. And, that I was who I am because of Him, and not them. He let me know I had to look at these issues I was upset over, from a different perspective. That day changed me. It was just a piece of the transformation I had to have, and continue to experience.
**Romans 8:18 - 25
18I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
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**Psalm 27:
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
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1 Thessalonians 5: 16 -18
16Rejoice at all times. 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
But, I will tell you, I would not give up my past now, as much as it was often a nightmarish existence, because I know I would not have the relationship with God, and even with people, that I do now, if I hadn’t had to claw my way up the mountain, in anlagorian terms, with God leading the way.
And, though I still struggle with many issues, I will tell you that I am a very different person today, than I was, and have continued to keep changing, all through the years. I thank God that I lived to see myself in the ‘land of the living’ now. He has truly come to set the captives free. And, I will tell you that I am a powerful witness to His glory, and His majesty. I have shared my story with many people, and have seen the things from my past be turned into characteristics that have and continue to help many people. I cannot be silenced as to how great our mighty God is.
Luke 4:18
…17the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: 18“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”…
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So, to get back to your comment, LLC, yes, God does allow terrible things, but somehow uses them for good, if we allow Him to. I am sure all our past struggles will one day bring Him glory. That is why we are here, I believe. To be in a love relationship with God and one another, and to bring God glory. We are all parts of the Body, bringing about His marvelous plan to Creation. We bring Him glory, as He transforms each and everyone of us, eventually, into a new creation. We become His masterpiece, and we acknowledge Him as our Savior, as we accept Him, through faith. We are ‘born again’ in water and the Spirit.
**John 3:5 - 15
5Jesus answered “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10“You are Israel’s teacher,” Jesus replied, “and do you not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.
12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.b 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
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It took me over 50 years to realize many things about my past…it was a slow, daunting journey. But, now, looking back, I realize what I stated about Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz…He was always there to guide me…all I needed to do was to call upon Him. So much of the ‘wrestling’ we perceive we need to endure is, I think, lots of our own hesitancy to let go and let God take the steering wheel.
But, I am blessed beyond measure that I have lived to see the fruition of what God has done and continues to do, in my life.
1 Peter:2-9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
To God be the Glory!
D.