I try to stay away from the “I, me, my and mine stories”, and portray hope through the stories of others and encouraging words from the Bible and other sources.
Since I have already used my least favorite words, “I, me, my and mine”, multiple times, please allow me one personal paragraph.
Earlier today I found out I would be entering into my third round of unemployment since December of 2010. I would ask that you pray for specific direction for me to hear clearly what God has next for my life.
That’s it.
So, what happens when you get unexpected news?
How do you respond to a negative report?
What goes through your mind when you discover the battle is going to last a little longer than you wanted?
You declare that you will stand firm in your faith and will remain hopeful for the future.
God uses both the positive and negative in our lives for His glory.
He uses the unexpected turn of events to open the door for the plan He has expected all along.
He takes the downpour and makes the flowers grow.
He takes the heat to dry out the floods from the downpour.
And he takes the next downpour to cool the heat.
Every single event in our life has a purpose.
He can and will use them all.
Recently, our son-in-law, Pastor Brady Howard, who is married to our oldest daughter, Savannah, spoke publicly regarding an event that had occurred a couple of weeks ago.
Excitedly, this past Father’s Day, Brady and Savannah announced to our joined families that she was pregnant.
In the next few days after the announcement she would suffer a miscarriage.
Do you think these circumstances snuck up on God?
Certainly not.
How did God use it?
Two days after the miscarriage Brady and Savannah left with a large contingency of youth and adults to summer church camp.
Brady beautifully summed it up this way.
“How could I ask the young people that I lead to trust God with their life if I am not going to, by example, trust God in mine and Savannah’s life, no matter what happens?”
They are standing firm in their faith.
What about those who watched them walk through this dark moment?
We, including those young people, remain hopeful for the future.
No matter what you are going through, God knows your name, your address and your heart.
He will not abandon you, nor me, in times of trouble.
Stand firm in your faith and hopeful for the future.
“…since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted.” I Corinthians 15:58 (TLB)
John
Praying for new horizons! Joy comes in the morning brother.
John, Jesus loves you with an abundant and all consuming love. Allen and I love you too. I am praying that God will open another door for you soon. You are right, he will never abandon you.Your faith will sustain you.
We are Praying for you and Derinda as you face this valley once again. You both have been and continue to be an inspiration to me as I’ve watched you navigate the past 4 years of ups and down. Andy and I love y’all and are blessed to call you family. I don’t always understand God’s ways, but I know He’s not surprised by this turn of events. You’re such a voice of hope to so many through this blog, so I know you are being lifted up in prayer by all these you’ve touched. We are here for you in any way you need us.
Andy and Cindy