It’s worth it.

In Acts 14:15-17, we see a story where people think Paul and Barnabus are gods because of what they can accomplish. The people jump to offer sacrifices like they would for their other gods but Paul jumps to point them back to Jesus. And I like some of the descriptors used to describe our God. 

Paul says, “we are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, He let all nations go their own way. Yet He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

This is a crazy description that we can pull a lot from. But the main thing I want to point out is that God allows rain. Often times when we think of rain we think of depression. We think of hurt. We think of dark times. And that can't be associated with God right? Often times rain is associated with bad moments but in this verse, we are seeing that God doesn’t just allow it, He sometimes sends it. 

This is hard to preach. It’s easier to talk about how God will recycle everything the devil and others meant for your demise into something He can use for your good. But it’s hard to talk about God allowing seemingly negative things. And it’s even harder to think about Him sending them but that’s what we see happening here.

I think we need to step back and look at this. Some people will do negative things that God will recycle for your good, but some things God intentionally allows for your good. When Joseph met back up with his brothers after they sold him into slavery, he didn’t say “the devil meant it for evil but God recycled it for good.” He said, “The devil meant it for evil but God meant it for good.” God meant it too! Yes, God does take the negative the devil sends and use it for our positive, but some of the things that make us uncomfortable are allowed and even sent by God himself for our good.

This was one of my friend’s favorite verses and I never liked it.  

James 1:2-4. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,  whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

First off, how in the world am I supposed to consider trials joy? And pure joy at that? That’s stupid. What kind of God would do that. But I think we forget this is what we signed up for. 

If you asked God to build you. If you asked God to grow you. If you asked God to make you the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, you may not have realized that you really asked Him to work you out. You asked for a personal trainer. Trials hurt, but they are worth it when you realize they’re a part of the regimen YOU ASKED FOR to make you mature, complete, and lacking nothing. This is what is getting you to the things you dreamed of and wanted all along!

It’s easy to get into the hard parts and growing pains of life and wonder why God allowed it. But what if maybe just maybe the rain was sent to produce fruit? What if this is exactly what we asked for?

If you asked to be a better leader, you aren’t just going to wake up being John Maxwell. You need to make it through some workouts so you actually have something to talk about. If you want your dream physique, you aren’t just going to wake up with it. You need to get in the gym and put in work. And that work is uncomfortable. That work is tiring. But the work is nothing compared to the results. You don’t have to agree to go through this. But if you want results you need the work. Don’t be the guy who compliments everyone else’s gains without going to the gym. It’s worth it. 

Paul in Romans 8:18 says what we suffer now is nothing compared to what He will give us later. We won’t even remember how bad it was compared to the results. Graduation is worth the tests!

So next time you wonder why God allowed that breakup, trust Him and remember He has to make room for the husband you were praying for. 

The next time you ask why God allowed you to be held back from graduating with your class, remember that all the jobs and opportunities opened up this year and not last year. 

I heard a quote I wanna share with you:

“I asked for strength… and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom… and God gave me problems to solve. I asked for courage… and God gave me dangers to overcome. I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.

…My prayers were answered.”

Trust His timing. 

Trust the season. 

Keep going.

As you trust God community is needed. Send this link to anyone you want to support as they go through tough seasons. Tell them to text the word “thoughts” to (844) 750-0137 to never miss another devotional. See y’all next week!

This ministry is privately funded by a college student who typically has too much month left at the end of his money (you’ll get that joke when you go home). So if you would like to support to keep this content coming, click the donate link or donate through Cash App $ThoughtsByPace. Thanks so much!