Believers Can Look for the Positive

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.“ Genesis 50:20 NLT

In a story titled “Missing runner’s family raising money for new SD ministry,” it was reported that the family of David Lunde, an avid runner who went missing in Durango, Colorado three weeks ago, is working to raise awareness and funds for Rockside Ranch, a ministry described as “a working ranch where young men can go for life restoration.” Based out of California, the writer said they are opening a new location. For the past year, Lunde has been a strong supporter of Rockside Ranch and its work to open a ranch in New Underwood, South Dakota. “He loved that young men were able to live out life restoration on a working ranch”… Even though Lunde won’t be able to do his 60-mile birthday run this Sunday, his friends and family are running the trail for him, raising support for South Dakota’s Rockside Ranch in his honor. “David would be able to see the positive in the situation, saying hey, awareness is being raised for this organization I deeply care about.”

And you know, when it comes to seeing the positive in every situation—no matter how sad or hopeless it might seem—the Bible gives us the story of Joseph, a young man who loved the Lord with all his heart. Despite his devotion to God though, Joseph experienced tests, trials and tribulations so intense that it appeared nothing good would ever come from them. But God, as is His way, used all of Joseph’s pain to land him a job of such prominence that he not only saved his own family from famine but all of Egypt; prompting Joseph to tell his brothers, the very people who sold him into slavery, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

So if you’re going through a tough time my friend, hang in there and keep a positive attitude. God can and will use your circumstances for good if you will surrender to His will and allow Him to bring beauty from ashes. You may not know how He will accomplish this but you can be sure that He will. That’s just what He does.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God beyond our comprehension. Your ways are much higher than ours and your plans are always better. Please remind us that we live in a fallen world where sin abounds and where bad things happen to the most faithful of followers. Rather than the thought of that filling us with dread, cause us to remember that You are sovereign over all and can and will work all things for good so that can we look for the positive in every situation. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!