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Listen while you read: "I Will Sing Of My Redeemer"1
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Romans 8:28 – 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)
One of my hobbies is paper quilling. This involves taking thin strips of coloured paper and rolling them around a spool into a tight circle. After the finished circle is removed from the spool, the coils can be released to the size needed, then configured into various shapes. There are approximately a dozen different shapes that can be made from the original circle. The shapes are then glued to a card to form pictures. It is a tedious, yet rewarding, hobby when I view the finished product.
Working on this hobby reminds me of life. We all possess life; it is the common denominator, or "circle" in all of our journeys in this world. Each life, however, is moulded and shaped on a continuous basis due to the circumstances and people who enter it. These experiences and relationships have the power to create something beautiful and fulfilling, or the opposite, depending upon how we allow them to affect us.
There are times when I feel that events or people in my circle of life are crushing, oppressing, or influencing me in unhealthy ways, and I become angry or distraught, confused or frustrated, trying not only to make sense of what is happening, but also to determine how to handle it in such a way that these negatives are turned into positives. At such moments, turning to today's Scripture verse becomes a pivotal point as I remember and trust in God's ability to work these negative life events into something good in my life. I am reminded that, when I turn everything over to Him, He is able "to bestow on [us] a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair, [that we might] be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3 NIV) Knowing and trusting in God's power to make a negative into a positive assures me that the various shapes into which my life is sometimes twisted can all turn out to be beautiful and for my best by the time He is finished with them, even though in the moment, it is hard for me to fathom such a transformation.
How about you? Are you struggling with events that are seeking to shape you in ways that are causing distress and anxiety? Have life's circumstances turned your positives into negatives? If so, take a step in faith by turning them over to God, Who is ready and waiting to work all of them for good in your life, if you will only allow Him to do so.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are a God of transformation and positive change. Take our negatives this day and work them for good in our lives. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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Enjoyed your message today.
What a very nice one but very powerful one. Thanks for sharing.
(Ont.)
Lynne, Your creative artwork projects remind me of Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion …” NIV
It’s the promise I keep needing to envision, over and over again. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this very helpful message, Lynne. I hadn’t thought about this mindset before, and it makes perfect sense. We need to wait and see how God will ultimately use trying circumstances for good. Our hope is in the Lord. Love your writing.
As always, a lovely analogy especially since I’ve seen quilling pictures and am aware of the shaping and the beautiful, intricate finished products. This is something that would be particularly good for teens!
God bless.
Good morning, Lynne,
Thank you for another good one. God is faithful!!
I would like to see on of your cards or items you make.
God bless and thank you.
My goodness, Lynne, is there something that you cannot do…writing, quilling, being a most wonderful grandmother? When I started reading this devotional, I had no idea that you wrote it. Often, there is something about a particular devotional that gives me a clue as to the author.
Thanks once more for sharing your thoughts and insights.
Good one.
I never thought of you as a paper quiller. Lovely new dimension to consider as I read your work. Thank you.
Enjoying the big bright moon these nights?
(Manitoba)
Dear Lynne,
I am a regular “Daily” reader. I love when you post; it’s always so true to Scripture, and right on target. I needed to read your words today. I was flash-fired with no notice and reason in August, and the job search for someone my age is frankly, not so good. Thank you for a real chin-lifter, and your ministry to everyone in the “Daily” community.
Good morning, Lynne,
Great message with good examples which I have experienced for sure. I definitely need to ask God to help shape my negatives into good at periods in my life. I did quilling years ago and it definitely is fascinating what can be done with thin strips of paper. It is always good to be reminded that God is waiting for us to reach out and willing to guide and comfort us. Still praying that the government does the right thing. Blessings.
Dear Lynne,
Many thanks for another of your very positive and meaningful devotionals.
You always present an excellent analogy. Yes, we have circumstances in life that can be very frustrating and negative and leave us wondering how to deal with them, but when we take our frustrations to God with true faith in Him, we get a satisfying outcome. There are times we might be quite bewildered by His answer to our situation but when we are patient and reflect on the results, they are for the best outcome. Many blessings for these special writings you prepare and share with us.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this devotional. Circumstances have changed church life for our family in ways that I could have never imagined. I can’t see fully at the moment, and perhaps not in this life, how the negative result of these circumstances will be worked out for our good, but I am resting in this promise of all things working together for good, and I can see what I think may be some good aspects arising.
I once heard Rev Dr JSS Armour preach on this verse. He challenged us to consider what is ‘good’ that is being worked together in our lives. He suggested our lives are like a tapestry which on the wrong side of the tapestry are just ugly meaningless individual threads/circumstances, but at the end of life, God will turn the tapestry over to the right side and our lives will appear as a beautiful picture created from so many threads and woven together by God into Christ likeness, for only Christ is good.
Thank you for reminding us of this text.
Morning Lynne, another great read. Wish I lived near you; and could invite you for a coffee/tea. I just love your devotionals. And, Quilling,,,, what a great artistic pastime. I took up quilting in the beginning of Covid. Now I have three done; and have loved learning all the tricks.
Have a great weekend. Blessing.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Hello Lynne,
Another hobby! How very artistic you must be! That would take a fantastic amount of patience! I have come to admire you so much for the many talents with which the LORD has bestowed upon you. Anyway, please make time to keep writing.
Thank you, Lynne. I have the same problems and love your advice. I am finally getting my emails so I can read these current ones again. Take care and God bless you.