Paul is a fascinating character. I am reading the book of Acts again and developing a greater appreciation for Paul.

I understand better why Paul wrote, “All things work together for good for those who love God.”

Paul is falsely beaten and falsely accused. The good is he gets to witness to and influence top ranking government officials.

He is shipwrecked. The good is Paul heard from God and was able to instruct the men so no lives were lost.

He is bitten by a scorpion. The good is this lead to all the sick people on an island being healed.

If any of these three things had happened to most of us, we would have been rebuking the devil, mourning at the altar, and wondering why had God forsaken us. Perhaps that is just my response to adversity.

I think God is teaching me to respond differently. God is teaching me to have joy in difficult seasons and allow that joy to bless others. When adversity comes, instead of my first thought being how can I escape, my first thought should be, who can I bring out with me.

God is truly working all things (the good, the bad, the ugly, the difficult, the annoying) out for your good. Where the enemy is sending a mess God is giving you a message. Where the enemy is sending a test, God is giving a testimony. Don’t focus on the mess or the test. Focus on the victory that is coming!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28 NIV