And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28
Life can be hard. You don’t have to live long to realize that. Maybe you’ve experienced seasons of stress, heartbreak, loss or insurmountable circumstances that consume your thoughts night and day. In the midst of those times, it’s easy to begin to believe you’re stuck in your adversity and hoping for change is futile. But the Bible tells us God is for us. He is taking even our most difficult situations and using them for our benefit.
It’s much like this… When a seed gets pushed beneath some soil, it may look like it's being buried, but it's actually being planted. It may lay dormant for a time alone in darkness, feeling the weight of the soil. But the soil is not there to suffocate the seed. It's there to give the seed what it needs to grow. Eventually the seed will break open. Roots will form underground. Transformation will take place and there will be growth.
Whatever your circumstances are right now, you are not being buried either. It may feel like it in the moment with the weight, pressure, isolation or uncertainty. But, if you understand that you’re being planted, you can rest in the knowledge that this experience is one of preparation. God has not forgotten you. He is always on your side. And because of that, life is not happening to you. Life is happening for you. Trust that—even when you can’t make sense of it. Even when what you're experiencing is painful.
And while you're in the midst of your hardship, don't forget to let God embrace you with His loving kindness. He is there to encourage you and give you what you need, moment by moment and breath by breath. Watch for what this experience is teaching you. Allow yourself to be stretched. You have been planted. New growth is coming.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father in heaven, help me to understand that my life is happening for me, and that in every situation I can know You are with me and working on my behalf, even when I don’t see it happening in the moment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.