Life Plan Devotion #5 [Used]

Hi, Everyone.
This is the final devotion for this week. It may be a difficult one for you, so you might need the next few days to think it through. If that's the case, stay with it because it will be worth it.
I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! May the One who is the Reason for the Season be very special to you. If any of you don't know Him, in a personal way, I'd be honored to share about Him with you. Just let me know that is your wish.
Stay safe, and I'll be back with you on Monday, Lord willing. Until then, should you need to "talk," just PM me and I'll reply as soon as I can.

Life Plan Devotion #5 [Used]

     As painful as it may be, recall one of the worst times of your life. Perhaps it was the death of a loved one, an unexpected divorce, abuse, an addiction, abortion, a job loss, an angry teen child, a hateful act of discrimination, an eating disorder. Remember the details of your painful cir****tance.
     Just as there is no shortage of problems and crises, there is no shortage of God's grace. Think about the good that God was able to bring out of your painful past. Perhaps you have never thought about that God can use all your troubles in His plan for your life, but He will, if You let Him.
     God will not waste one moment of pain or sadness. While living in a fallen world, with people who have the ability to choose to act in loving or hurtful ways, is what what ushers in pain and sadness, God is able to use our heartache to build our character, draw us closer to Him, and make us more effective in the area of ministry He has for each believer.
     How did God use a painful moment in your life? Did you draw closer to Him? Did you find strength inside you that you didn't know you had? Did it turn you in a new direction? Were you protected from greater harm? Did it cause you to be empathetic with others, rather than just sympathetic? Are you able to share your life experience with others who are hurting, helping them to know what to do next? Have you been asked to share your faith with someone, because of a shared life experience? Did you learn to trust God and to let Him help you?
   
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."

What this has to do with weight loss:  Every overweight person regrets the journey to obesity, whether that journey involved a prison of his/her own choosing or the fact that someone else held open the prison door and then locked him/her inside. For the believer, every prison door can be opened, the prisoner can walk free, and the prison experience can be used by God to make a difference in the life of someone else--to help free others.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You, those who are called according to Your purpose, so that includes me. Today, I thank You for how You planned, in advance, to turn all my problems and crises into good--and that You have made that promise to all believers. It gives me enormous hope. Help me to remember always that You are my compassionate, caring Father. I give all my hurts and troubles to You, to put to good use. Use me to help others, because of what I have been through. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, and be used of God to make beauty from ashes!

Blessings & Keep Christ in Christmas,
Mary