One day I am going to learn “all things really do work together for my good.” One day, I am going to learn to rest in that fact.

At the beginning of the semester my schedule was changed. I had third period planning which I asked for and wanted. Right before the semester began, my schedule was changed to first block planning. I was not a happy camper. Okay, I was furious.

There were several reasons for not wanting 1st block planning, but mainly because teachers with first block planning are asked to cover for teachers who are running late or woke up sick more than other teachers.

I realized yesterday, I have not had to cover classes hardly any this semester. Teachers with third block planning have had to cover far more than I have. That which I feared did not come to pass and had actually worked for my good. Was this last minute schedule change God’s protection?

I was thinking about how many times I get angry and fret because something doesn’t go the way I want it to go or how I think is best. Anybody else?

I remember flying from Dubai back to the states…a long 14 hour flight. Some of the women in my group were chosen to sit in first class. I, on the other hand, had a middle seat in coach. Again, not a happy camper.

But I was seated between two young men, one from Jordan and a Syrian of Muslim faith. They were both very gracious towards me. I was able to pray with both of them. One experienced immediate pain relief from back ache. I was able to share my faith. The gentleman from Syria shared his faith with me as well and we saw we had more in common than different.

God had a better plan for me on that trip; a better plan than first class or a window seat.

So, I’m learning. I’m learning to see discomfort, setbacks, and disappointments as opportunities for God to provide protection; as opportunities for God to do more than I can ask, think, or imagine. Perhaps God continues to use discomfort, setbacks, and disappointment as evidence that all things – the good, the bad, and the ugly – work together for my good.

I’m learning to do what James exhorted – “count it ALL joy!”

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬