When All Looks Bad (Beauty in the Mess)
God is still in the business of redeeming the mess.
Many years ago, our family was caught up in a difficult situation involving teenage boys and a well-known, highly esteemed organization our boys had joined. We spent sleepless nights and time in countless meetings trying to resolve the issue. The ensuing mess left us reeling for months.
There seemed to be no good outcome. No way to redeem the situation. Boys’ allegiances were divided. Some of the parties involved still live with anger, confusion, and hard feelings.
However, through time, prayer, and making some hard choices, our family eventually saw good come from the bad. I still grieve the pain in the lives of those involved, but we’ve seen light spring from the dark.
Beauty in the Mess
That shouldn’t be surprising though. Redeeming the ugly and difficult is the business Jesus signed up for. It’s the reason He came to earth as a man. It’s why He willingly suffered and died.
God wrings good from the bad. He takes messes and creates beauty.
We may not see it for years, perhaps not until we reach the glory of Heaven. But we can trust and believe God as He promises redemption of our suffering.
God wrings good from the bad. He takes messes and creates beauty. We may not see it for years, perhaps not until we reach the glory of Heaven. But we can trust and believe God as He promises redemption of our suffering. Click To Tweet
The Lord’s plan is good even when all looks bad.
Trust Him! He redeems all this mess for His glory.
The Lord's plan is good even when all looks bad. Trust Him! He redeems all this mess for His glory. Click To Tweet
Praise be to God, forever and ever!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. (Psalm 107:1-3)
Reflection: Have you experienced the redemption of a difficult situation? Did you find it difficult to wait on God’s timing? What helped?
Once again I’m linking with Lisa-Jo and 5 minute Friday where a crowd writes uninhibited for 5 minutes (or a few more) on a given topic. It is a wonderful exercise in letting the words flow. Click the button (icon) to check out more posts or consider linking up yourself. Today’s word is: “Mess.”
By His grace ≈
Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
Oh Julie, I love this, “Redeeming the ugly and difficult is the business Jesus signed up for.” AMEN!
Thank you for being honest about a tough situation and seeing the fruit coming out of it. Blessings,
So grateful for His redemption and mercies, Jolene.
Redemption is available in every moment. It takes first decision and
then action to make it a long-lasting trajectory. Recently, God redeemed a
friendship that had burned out four years ago. I had no hope that he
would care to work in my friendships so I was not impatient for his
time. Knowing from here on out that he works in my relationships, the
expectation WILL make it harder to wait on his timing.
On the sad end, I waited on God to restore my relationship with my
adoptive father. He has passed away a year ago. That is something that
is difficult for me to process. I still have my adoptive mother that God
may decide to restore the relationship with her before it’s too late.
Isn’t it funny that I reunited with my birth mother to find out that she
domestically adopted a son; and I am the secret child born out of
wedlock? And where does this leave me with God? My answer is that I
think it is great. My mother has a big heart to withdraw to an
institution that she deposited into years ago. I’m not jealous of my brother
because he knows how it feels to lose his parents. I have parents and I’m the one that needs to turn heart toward my adoptive mother and not steal away my biological one from him.
I’m okay with things because I KNOW God is using me. I still have many prayers being answered and honored by Him. =) Great prompt for a comment.
I’m sorry you didn’t get to reconcile with your adoptive father, Meredith. That must be difficult. Praying for your relationship with your adoptive mother. God is working. Show your adoptive mother your willingness to bridge the past hurts and watch God move mightily toward that end. Trust Him for that perfect plan He is orchestrating in your life. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story and your testament to His faithfulness. Blessings.
I appreciate your prayers. Not many people take the time to respond to their comments. Great first impression. =)
It’s nice to know my replies are being read. 🙂