Bad Situations Are Not Always Bad for Us

During my life, I have had many things happen that I considered bad. They were times where I felt lonely, disgusted and hurt. But whenI look back, I can always find a positive that took place that never would have happened if I wasn't in that bad place in my life. And that bad place wasn't always because of something wrong I had done.

Paul better describes this in Philippians 1:12
"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the futherance of the gospel."

He was describing his beatings and the time he spent in a jail cell. I would normally consider those to be going backwards instead of forwards. But Paul says it was for the sake of the gospel that he endured the beatings and being thrown into prision. How could he say that? Because God had someone for him to meet and witness to while in those situations. People that Paul would have normally not met any other way.

I often wondered if Paul had the following conversation with God: "God, I will go wherever you want me to go to reach people for you. But do I have to meet them in prison? I mean can you not have them run into me at the market or somewhere more comfortable for me? I am doing this for you so could you make it a little easier for me and less painful?"

Not sure if that conversation took place but God spoke to me and showed me that it was not the location in which Paul found himself that proved to be the strong witness. It was simply the joy that Paul exemplified while in those "not-so-wonderful" moments. Anyone can witness for Christ sitting on the front pew but what more does it say to a lost man or woman when they meet me in the middle of the battles of life? That is when I find myself being a strong witness, while I am going through a tough time that they have gone through.

Actions speak louder than words.

Prayer:
"Lord, help my actions point people to you. Help me realize that I am in the situations for the sake of the cross and not always because of my wrongdoings. You are in control of every part of my life so use me for Your glory."