All Things Work Together for Your Good; He’s Intentional

In accordance with the policy changes regarding COVID-19, I haven’t been working this week. In all honesty, I was happy about being off from work. I appreciated not commuting and I have thoroughly enjoyed being home. When I initially learned I would be home this week, I thought about all of the things I could do with my “free” time—and writing was one of those things. But to my astonishment, that hasn’t been happening. I pulled my laptop out several times and came up with nothing. So, I did what I usually do when I am clueless—I asked my mother.

Mrs. Bryant suggested writing about my feelings related to COVID-19, which made me think of a conversation I had with my father earlier this week. For those of you who don’t know my dad, he is a man of few words, so when he speaks it renders pause.

My dad asked, “When will we realize all things work together for our good?” Although I viewed his question as rhetorical—I answered him anyway. Personally, I want everything to be easy—I don’t want to suffer. Furthermore, as human beings we want to understand everything. In our eyes, things need to be logical. But there are things in this life that are beyond our understanding, which is the underlying purpose of faith.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

— Hebrews 11:1 KJV

The word intentional means done on purpose or deliberately. I want to encourage you by emphasizing the fact that all things work together for good, regardless of how it may look or feel. You may not understand what is going on around you and It may even hurt in the process—but remember it is intentionally for your good.

So, let’s continue to fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith. Trust God’s plan— it is for our good.

After a While

This past Friday was not one of my better days; however, in the grand scheme of things, I have experienced much worst. I spent a fair amount of time between Friday night and Saturday deliberately dismissing thoughts related to what I experienced at work on Friday. There were some moments where I was successful with focusing on pleasant things, but anguish, fear, and doubt found its way back to the forefront of my mind. I contemplated not sharing this experience, then it occurred to me that this is another opportunity for me to encourage and inspire someone.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...”

— Revelations 12:11

For the majority of the last 365 days I have been struggling with fear and doubt. I have questioned my abilities and whether or not I should walk away and do something completely different as an occupation. On numerous occasions I have been reminded that I can do all things through Christ, which undoubtedly encouraged me to keep going. But fear and doubt would creep up again and I would find myself questioning and worrying. So, how do I break this annoying and detrimental cycle?

As I settled down to write, I decided to listen to my usual YouTube playlist, which has a throwback music melody by Pastor Marvin Winans. This particular video encourages me every time I watch it. I stumbled upon it for the first time back in 2013 when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. Approximately 10 days before ever seeing the video, I was in the hospital due to complications with my pregnancy with my second son. In addition to that, my marriage was falling apart.

While I was in the hospital, my doctor informed me that I had an infection and she believed both my son and I were going to die. Moments before that conversation occurred, my then-husband sent me a text message telling me he was moving out. The next morning I went into labor and delivered my son who died one hour after his birth—which is the second most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. The first painful experience was the death of his older brother, which transpired two years earlier.

A week after I was released from the hospital, I moved out of the house I occupied with my then-husband and I lived in an extended-stay hotel in Virginia with my mother for 30 days. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was worried and afraid. I was hurting over the loss of another child and the demise of my marriage. But the song that I heard—that seemed to be random—encouraged me immensely. The words to the song are simple, but inspiring.

“After ‘while it will all be over…after ‘while the sun gon’ shine…after ‘while dark clouds will pass over…and we’ll shout Hallelujah after while…”

The song reminds me of a familiar scripture:

“But may the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

— 1 Peter 5:10 KJV

As I listened to the words to the song I drew strength and encouragement from it and I fully believed everything was going to be all right. I didn’t know when, but I had faith that it was coming—and it did. I distinctly remember the day I genuinely smiled again, December 25, 2013.

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,”

— Psalm 30:11

So, how will this cycle of fear and doubt be broken? By trusting the same God who brought my smile back in 2013. The dark clouds passed away and the sun began to shine—and it is going to happen again.

Attribution: Image illustration by Raphael L. McNeal