Vital signs- Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

The rose is certainly one of the most beautiful and desired flowers God has created, yet every rose grows with thorns. Life is much the same I think, and each of us must decide if we can be thankful for the rose while dealing with the thorns. 

I’ve come to believe that we would have no appreciation of or gratitude for life’s good times if we never experienced difficulties. Many of us are extremely grateful for all that God has done for us in Christ because we did have difficult and painful lives. God has given us “beauty for ashes,” as He promised (Isaiah 61:3 NKJV), meaning that He will take all the ugliness we have experienced in life and create something beautiful from it. 

The truth is, there is nothing bad that can happen to you that God can’t turn into something good. 

I encourage you to read the story of Joseph in Genesis Chapters 37-50. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and it looked like his life was ruined. But time and again, God took Joseph’s situation and used it to elevate him to a better place. He was eventually promoted to be second in command over all of Egypt! Not only did the situation ultimately turn out well for Joseph himself, but it also enabled him to save many people’s lives—including his own family—during a severe famine.   

You may not yet be able to see how your trial or problem could become a blessing, but have faith and trust God to create the beauty out of the suffering. Develop and maintain a thankful heart in the midst of it, and you will be amazed by the way God can use it for good.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me To bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives And freedom to prisoners, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, To comfort all who mourn, To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning], The oil of joy instead of mourning, The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Pray: “Lord, thank You for watching over me! Help me to see You working in my life, even when it feels like nothing good can come out of my situation. Turn my trials into something that glorifies You…and something that grows me into the person You want me to become. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Team Wade loves you and is praying for you 👊🧡