"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (NET Bible)

"That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." (The Message)

Romans 8:28. One of the most repeated verses in Scripture. I believe this verse. I believe God uses all things that occur in our lives to some good or growth or ministry or maturing. Nothing is wasted with God. Nothing.

But sometimes, something happens that screams in your face, "No way, not this one. There cannot be anything good that comes out of this!"

What do I do when I see a road stretching out in front of me that looks like waste and destruction?

Do I believe it then?

Do I truly believe God will use this, will work this, will rework this, will not let this destruction only be destructive? Do I really believe this? Really?

Yes. I REALLY do.

Why?

"To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3; NKJV)

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." (Psalms 30:5; NASB)

"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25; NKJV)

"He will deliver Israel from all the consequences of their sins." (Psalms 130:8; NET Bible)

I believe it because of WHO God is in His very nature. He is a God of Redemption. The whole of Scripture points to God redeeming his people, of Him bringing beauty out of ashes, of Him taking what was loss and making it gain. Without Him everything bad would just be bad, everything destructive would only destroy, everything failed would just be failure.

But...

"you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope." (I Thes. 4:13; NASB)

Hope. The answer. The reason. The foundation.

Not hope in myself or those around me. But hope in the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Heb. 11:1; NIV)

So today, when I do not see a way out, when I do not understand what has happened, when I ache for things to change, I look up. I wait. I hope. I believe.

God WILL bring beauty from ashes. He will guide us down this road to His desired end.

I believe.

Is. 51:10-12

Did you not dry up the sea, the waters of the great deep?

Did you not make a path through the depths of the sea,

so those delivered from bondage could cross over?

Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return;

they will enter Zion with a happy shout. Unending joy will

crown them, happiness and joy will overwhelm them;

grief and suffering will disappear.

“I, I am the one who consoles you. Why are you afraid of mortal

men, of mere human beings who are as short-lived as grass?