Worst Day

Evangelist Stuart Olyott said, The very worst thing that ever happened was the death of the Son of God. The very best thing that ever happened was the death of the Son of God. If God can bring good out of this, what can He not do for us in the midst of our deepest losses? This is truth, though few of us are able to see it in the midst of our worst days. I certainly could not, but He has proved to me over and over again that it is. Though our worst days can greatly differ, I think they all contain this in common; they take us by surprise, and they leave us devastated and in emotional and spiritual shock. We can't think or act clearly and we experience a wide range of emotions and thoughts. We cry out to God. In pain, in anger, and with the plea that He undo what has happened. Like the disciples after the crucifixion, we run, often to Him, and just often away from Him. We know the promise of Romans 8, that He will work all things together for our good, but we cannot see how He can do so in the midst of this day. The devil mocks us through this promise. We hear the liars voice, but we seem unable to hear the Father's. He may not be speaking because He knows the turmoil will keep us from hearing, but He is working. Always He is working. My worst day, the collapse of my ministry and marriage, led to many more days, weeks, and months of journeying with Him on a road that always seemed dark, and with many unexpected twists and turns. I often wanted to quit, to turn aside and just die, yet each time a sense of renewed hope would come, and I would get up from my self-pity and keep going along, even if it seemed an inch at a time. His road led me from ruin to resurrection. His road always will. Piece by piece, He rebuilt both my life and ministry. In losing what I thought was everything I gained everything in Him. John Wesley once said of his life that he was "an amazement to myself." He was amazed by what God had done in spite of his life deepest challenges and losses. I feel the same. The pain of my losses was real, but the wonder of what I've gained in Him is more real. In the journey I learned the truth of something else Olyott said. Don't grumble about the road He's leading you down because it's the road by which He's leading you home. He is not the cause of your worst day, but He is the solution. If you're in the midst of your worst day, don't listen to the lies of the enemy. He will not abandon you. At your weakest, He will be your strength. He knows the way home. Trust Him to get you there no matter how many "dangers, toils, and trials" you may encounter. In the journey, you will discover riches in Him you never thought possible. He will turn your worst day into your best....as you trust Him. Blessings, Pastor O