Can anything good come from this?

Seems I’m mulling that question over more than usual lately. Maybe you are too. Sometimes I’m asking in a seeking-an-answer kind of way. Other times it’s more of a throw-my-hands in the air kind of way. Because each day brings another heaping load of frustrating, discouraging circumstances.

People clashing, voices shouting, separation building instead of the coming together we long for after the last round of reality. In all the mess, I really want to know from God. What’s the plan? I know you can work all this together for good, but I just don’t see it.

It’s true that right now, things look pretty bleak any way we turn. And it’s also true that the worse things get, the more overwhelmed we feel. Because problems seem to grow and grow, without any restoration in sight.

So what do we do when that question plays on repeat, “Can anything good come from this?” How do we keep a hope-filled heart in times of such turmoil? We remember the truth.

There will be good. We can count on it.

“So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.” Acts 16:24 NLT

Paul and Silas were thrown in prison. They cast a demon out of a fortune-teller, and her boss had them arrested since it affected his income.

The guard locked them in and stood watch. He alone would be held responsible if the prisoners escaped. Not that it would even be possible, considering their surroundings.

But God performed a miracle and opened the doors of the jail, allowing Paul and Silas the opportunity to escape unharmed.

Paul and Silas could have gotten sidetracked with the miracle that day. God freed them! As preachers of the gospel message, they could’ve left the prison behind without giving it another thought.

But their hearts drew them to the one. The one least likely to seek forgiveness. The one who’d put them in chains in the first place. Jesus had a plan, and his plan always focuses on the ONE.

“The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:29-30

Paul stopped the jailer from taking his own life, so he took Paul and Silas to his home, cared for them, and gave them a meal. He and everyone in his household were saved and baptized right then.

I can imagine how the church felt that day, with Paul and Silas in chains. Helpless. In despair. Frustrated over circumstances beyond their control. Wondering if anything good could come from this. And with overflowing mercy and grace, God answered.

Because with God, something good will always come of it. We can count on it.

So when hopelessness sets in and we struggle to see how things could possibly work out, we can rest in the truth the jailer discovered. We are Jesus’ plan. We are his focus. No miracle is too great when it comes to drawing our hearts to him.

Blessings,

Kristine

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Jude 1:20-21 ESV

Disasters.

Defiance.

Temptations.

Trials.

When I look at our world today, it’s easy to get a bad case of discouragement. Seeing a news story that makes my heart sink. Watching relationships damaged and broken. Hearing the faithless with shattered spirits utter the word no each time God knocks on their heart’s door.

It’s enough to dump a heaping load of darkness in even the most joyful day.

Yet in the midst of the misery, God's Word remains true.

Even before we knew what we would see happening in our world, God knew. He gave us direction through Scripture that would teach us what to do in the most treacherous times.

I have a confession though, and I’m a little embarrassed to share it.

There are some books of the Bible I tend to skip over. It’s true. But I’m trying to do better. I’m praying and asking God to help me see God’s correction with new vision. In His grace and loving-kindness, He is answering that prayer.

The book of Jude is a perfect example.

Jude begins with a harsh reminder about what happened in the past to those who rejected God. He also tackles this reality - there are still people today who will face the same fate as those in the past.

Truth like that can sure make the future seem bleak, can’t it? But just as we think things are looking discouraging, Jude ends with a clear description of how we persevere through it all.

And the truth is, it’s pretty simple.

Let’s take a look at these 5 things we can do when we see the world and get discouraged. I found hope here, and I pray you will too.

1. Build ourselves up in the faith.

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith…” (v. 20 NLT).

God gave us a great gift when He taught us to encourage ourselves, and one another.

Reminding ourselves of God's goodness helps even the deepest hurt. (Tweet this.)

2. Pray in the Spirit.

“...pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,” (v. 20 NLT).

We can feel the comfort of our Holy Spirit as we take every care to our Heavenly Father in prayer. He generously offers peace and hope when we feel down.

3. Keep ourselves in God's love.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life,” (v. 21 NKJV).

We can have a hope and expectancy for what will come, and today we have God's love to keep us in perfect peace.

4. Have mercy on those who doubt.

“And have mercy on those who doubt;” (v. 22 ESV).

In the previous verse, Jude mentions the mercy of our Lord, and then follows that with a call for us to also have mercy to “those whose faith is wavering” (NLT). Lord, gives us the strength to show mercy as Jesus did.

5. To others show mercy mixed with fear.

As we share the love of our Savior, we are also called to walk in a reverent fear of the Lord. The NLT version puts it this way. “Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”

As we respond with mercy, let’s ask for God’s wisdom to guide us with a healthy balance of grace and truth.

And let’s also hold onto this concluding promise, “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” (v. 24)

Thank you, Lord, for the promise of your glorious presence.

For more help from God’s Word for discouragement, visit this post here.

Blessings,

Kristine