“You know Syb, I think this is just supposed to be part of your life story. You’re going to be able to encourage someone else through this. And you know you don’t want a boring life story.”
She listened to me describe my confusion and discouragement over a disappointing meeting that played out the one way I never would have guessed. Though my expectations were low, a possibility of being shut down and turned away was not even on my radar. All the work seemingly went to waste, all the sleep lost apparently in vain.
Nope – didn’t see that one coming.
Yet when my friend said these words to me, they stopped me in my tracks. Mouth hanging open, I replayed her words in my mind again and again until I quickly realized she was absolutely right. No doubt, they were just what I needed to hear.
Because just as I’ve always believed deep down – no circumstance, whether good or bad, is ever an accident nor need ever be wasted. It may be a counter-cultural way of thinking and certainly not an easy outlook to maintain at times, but it’s true and it’s Biblical.
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).
This verse tells us that God uses our grief, our joy, our loss, our gain, our trials and our triumphs – nothing is wasted.
Any given day will hold plenty of hard – disappointing news, a grumpy child, a rude stranger. Or it may hold beautiful things – stargazing on a summer night, a chat with an old friend, a long hug with your beloved.
Either way, we can trust God that He is collecting the pieces of our lives in His hand and creating something bigger and more beautiful than we can imagine.
Learning to relinquish control on the daily can be an exhausting process. Every day is an exercise in learning to live out what we already know to be true. He’s got this, so we don’t have to – and that’s pretty amazing.
The freedom to embrace the big beautiful story He has planned makes it a whole lot easier to lay down my own ideas of what’s next … once I remember it’s really not about me anyway – in fact, it never was.
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough.
Give the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway – Mother Teresa
Yes, I may come prepared with the best I’ve got and it may still not be enough. What I spend hours building may be ignored and disregarded at the drop of a hat. But when I stop to remember this isn’t about me – it’s about a work God is doing in and through me, my outlook shifts. My breathing deepens, my heart widens, and I’m ready to embrace the story He already has planned. Heaven knows it won’t be a boring story … and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 😉
Where do you look to when you’re disappointed and let down? How can you embrace the beauty of His story already planned for you, even when you feel stuck in the thick of your own dashed hopes and dreams?
For more on living the life story you were created for, check out this post next and be sure to click Pin It below, if you’d like to save this one for later 🙂
Such a sweet and encouraging post Sybil. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you found encouragement here! 🙂
Oh yes. When I am discouraged, especially after putting in so much effort, I wonder why. And then I turn to the Bible to remind me of the truth. And it proclaims that He is with me and that I need not be dismayed. I can be strong and courageous. And I remember that He frequently works in ways that don’t look like I would think they should. And yet, His glory shines all the more. So I stand back up and wonder at how He will work it all for His glory. Because that is pretty exciting!
Yes! Love that Ashley!!
Beautifully written and something I needed to read. We tend to think we know what’s best and even wonder at times where God is and just what He’s up to. He’s ALWAYS near and He’s ALWAYS making all things turn out for His glory and our (ultimate) good. Thank you for these words!
You’re so welcome – thanks for being here!
Beautifully written and thought-provoking post Sybil! Thank you for sharing I am learning that in every aspect of my life God wants to be involved. When I keep my focus on Him, nothing else should matter. I am thankful for His grace and mercy while I learn to relinquish control to Him.(Easier said than done..work in progress) Thanks again for sharing your talents for God’s glory. May He shower you with many blessings for you and yours. Have a wonderful weekend!
So kind of you Horace! Thank you so much for your sweet & encouraging words!
OH Sybil! This is just so encouraging to me… THANK YOU for this. It speaks to me, and is so timely for me too. I am allowing this new mantra to set in to my heart- “Capture peace in this moment- let go of urgency.”
I have been struggling so much with clarity on my direction in my life- and I grew tired of the angst, the push, the worry… One night I felt this incredible release within as I heard God whisper into my heart- “Why the urgency? Capture peace in this moment instead.”
No matter the circumstances that seem to create that angst – the closed doors, the hard meetings, the surprising let downs, and the dead ends… I am going to capture peace in this moment. Oh, how it fills me!! Your words and message fill me too. <3
Chris! I love this and I love YOU! XOXO
I love that…you don’t want a boring story. That is genius. It is such an adventurous way to look at the bumps along the way. Embrace the adventure. Glad I found you through Chris posting it on facebook/pinterest.
YES, embrace the adventure! You nailed it!
Such a fantastic and encouraging post! Definitely something I’ve been trying to work on in my life. Having two anxiety disorders, this is something that comes difficult to me, but it’s amazing that the more I’ve been able to trust God is in control and that everything can be used for his glory, the more I’ve been able to cap my anxiety in many situations. Sometimes, there’s nothing I can do, but knowing in my heart that God can turn the worst into the best calms my spirit even when my body and mind can’t seem to pick up on it.
What a comfort! Praise Him who gives us strength!