God Can Use Dark Times for Good

In review of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, I read  “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (NLT)

Paul reminds me through this verse that although I think I'm at the end of the rope, I am never at the end of my hope. My perishable body is subject to sin and suffering, but God has never abandoned me. Because Christ has won the victory over death, I have eternal life. All of my risks, humiliations, and trails are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through me. Like Paul, I must carry out my own ministry, looking to God for strength. So when opposition, slander, or disappointment threaten to rob me of victory, I just need to remember that no one can destroy what God accomplishes through me.

I will experience suffering, loneliness, discouragement, or unjust criticism, Because those are things Jesus experienced, and I need to experience them too for God to develop the character of Christ in me.

God does not cause tragedies. God is good, and he will not cause evil or do evil. But God can use dark and stressful times like these for good. He can use my current troubles to teach me to trust him, to show me how to help others, and to draw me closer to other believers.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (NLT).

So as I go through difficult times, refuse to be discouraged. Then, remember God is with me. Then, rely on God’s protection and guidance. God’s light will shine even in the darkest shadows.

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In summary, I may be pressed by troubles, but not crushed. Perplexed but not driven to despair. Hunted down. But I’ll never be abandoned by God. I may be knocked down, but I won’t be destroyed. Although I think I'm at the end of the rope, I am never at the end of my hope. My perishable body is subject to sin and suffering, but God has never abandoned me. Because Christ has won the victory over death, I have eternal life. All of my risks, humiliations, and trails are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through me. So like Paul, I must carry out my own ministry, looking to God for strength. When opposition, slander, or disappointment threaten to rob me of victory, I just need to remember that no one can destroy what God accomplishes through me. I will experience suffering, loneliness, discouragement, or unjust criticism, Because those are things Jesus experienced, and I need to experience them too for God to develop the character of Christ in me. God can use dark and stressful times for good. He can use my current troubles to teach me to trust him, to show me how to help others, and to draw me closer to other believers. So as I go through difficult times, I need to refuse to be discouraged. Remember that God is with me and then rely on God’s protection and guidance.

Father there are several things going on in my life such as the pandemic, the focus on social injustice, and the announcement that my job will go away. I know that you can use these things for good in my life. Based on the past you have never ripped me off, and have always seen me through bad situations. I need to focus on what good you are doing in these situations and look forward to what you have in store for me. I just need to hold the course and do what I need to do to be and do the best I can. Father I would like these situations to help bring me to a better understanding and compassion for people, and to help grow me and allow me to be of assistance in other situations in the future or in serving others. I pray this morning also for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray through your Son Jesus name, Amen.