March 10, 2010

YOU WANT GOD'S PLANS, EVEN WHEN YOU THINK YOU DON'T; ALL GOD'S PLANS ARE GOOD

Key Verse
"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." (Job 8:21)
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Central Truth

Despite what tragedies may occur, God is sovereignly overseeing our lives and pouring out His love and grace. His purposes for us are good, and He desires to use everything in our lives to draw us closer to Himself and to mold us more into His image.

Reflections

While working to get our youngest off to college and preparing for our entry into that new unknown territory, The Empty Nest, I was surprisingly diagnosed with breast cancer. Just as things seemed to be careening out of control and I thought my life would never have joy again, I was assured that the Lord was in control of it all. And despite what it looked and felt like, God was sovereignly planning to bring Good into my life out of the seemingly Not Good.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3)

"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)

God's plan for the tragedies in our lives is to bring us closer to Him and to glorify Himself through them. His faithfulness and love are unchanging. His desire for us is good, and He will reveal and display His goodness, glory and grace to us and to those around us. Through this trial He has shown me His love in amazing, tender ways through His people, and His character by His supernatural power and faithfulness to His Word. Where I saw only the possibility of darkness, fear, and loss, God has brought healing, peace, joy, relationships, and His glorious light. When He allows tragedy in our lives, we must trust Him and look for what He wants to teach us. He wants to reveal Himself and His goodness, for He shines so gloriously in the darkness.

When you find yourself in the throes of fear of a circumstance, listen to His voice saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" (Matthew 14:27). He is with you and His plan for you is good.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever felt like a situation in your life was beyond God's control?

2. In that kind of situation, who have you listened to? Do you listen to the enemy say, "This is a No Good situation," or to what someone else says, or do you look to the Lord and His Truth?  What does God's Word say about your situation?

3. Have you seen God's goodness and grace in a seemingly Not Even Possibly Good situation?  Would you share that with someone today?

4. Is there someone in your life who is in a seemingly Not Good situation that needs to hear about God's amazing grace, power, and love?  Would you pray for them and share His hope, love, and grace with them today?

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.

  1. Mark Sutton

    March 10, 2010 05:46 AM

    Thanks Beckye, He is mighty to save and does not turn from us. Sometimes I just need to rest in him and feel his amazing presence. Mark

  2. Linda

    March 10, 2010 05:52 AM

    I'm praying for you, sister. Your words are especially sweet and encouraging knowing what you are going through.

  3. Chip Smith

    March 10, 2010 06:17 AM

    Thank you Beckye for pointing us to the truth found in God's word and in your own personal experience with the boundless grace and love of God. You sifted right through Bildad's misguided discourse and showed us the two stands of wisdom found in his words. The first, is to draw from the experiences of the past (vs. 8). The second, is to consider a plant which has it roots in rocky soil (vs. 17). Remind you of the story of Jesus about the sower planting seeds on stony ground? (Matthew 13:5 & 20-21). When dealing with trials, it is good to gain knowledge from the past and see that God never abandons those who love Him and it is also good to have God's word planted firmly in our hearts. Knowledge is turning hindsight into foresight and wisdom is the God given ability to rightly apply that foresight. Thank you for a very encouraging log this morning.

  4. Karen kenagy

    March 10, 2010 06:21 AM

    Thanks, Beckye, for your very positive words of encouragement to start out this new day. Sometimes, Wednesdays can seem like a drag. I liked that you added so many other verses to reassure us that God is definitely with us and working toward our good. I'm praying that there will be some way I will be able to pass this encouragement on to my co-workers and students this morning.

  5. Morgan James

    March 10, 2010 06:57 AM

    Thank you sooo much for that devo. It was just what I needed today.

  6. Judy Miller

    March 10, 2010 07:30 AM

    Dear Beckye, Thanks for your insight. You have certainly been an example of someone loving and trusting the Lord as you have gone through the treatments to battle the cancer over these past months. We have two choices when we are in the midst of trials in our lives, we can choose to reject God or use the trials to draw closer to him. What a comfort that He is there for us.

  7. Annette Boorman

    March 10, 2010 07:45 AM

    Beckye, thank you for allowing your life to glorify Him and magnify His faithfulness and unchanging love! We continue to be inspired and encouraged by your life story as He continues to "fill your mouth with laughter", even in the midst of your circumstances!

  8. Tim Hawks

    March 10, 2010 08:07 AM

    Beckye, may God continue to provide His strength and hope today and each day as you journey through this valley. May He uphold you with confidence in His promise to never leave you or forsake you. You blessed us today. May you feel His pleasure for "feeding His sheep".

  9. Randy Allen

    March 10, 2010 08:50 AM

    Beckeye, We love you here at the Allen House

  10. myra

    March 10, 2010 09:47 AM

    Hi Beckye. Thanks for your personal insight. Sometimes, the only way to keep putting one foot in front of the other is to remember his love and faithfulness. I like the way you put it, "He shines so gloriously in the darkness."

  11. Harriet Smith

    March 10, 2010 10:54 AM

    Beckye, You brought out so many great points from this passage and brought in so many other supporting ones to drive home the point that tragedies are meant to draw us closer to God. You certainly have exemplified that with yout own life. Thank you for modeling what you write about.

  12. Laurie Carlson

    March 10, 2010 11:03 AM

    Thank you Beckeye, keep being that beacon of light to a dark world, using your circumstances for God's glory. You have been a constant encourager in many avenues of social media and personal interaction. May God grant you continued arenas to share His marvelous, unsurpassing grace to all you come in contact with. Love you sweet friend!

  13. Ed Newell

    March 10, 2010 11:58 AM

    A hand-picked passage just for you. Isn't the Lord marvelous how He is working for our good days, weeks, months, years in advance of our need. He is preparing our circumstances to grow us into His likeness. Thanks for your insight and vulnerability. Your question about who we listen to is powerful as well, for the enemy is there ready to whisper into our ear that our Father is not trustworthy, that he doesn't really care, that we need to look out for ourselves. But as you have pointed out, Our Father is in the darkness with us ready to walk with us into His light. Blessings.

  14. Susan Peisker

    March 10, 2010 12:00 PM

    Thank you, Beckye, for your inspired words of wisdom and joy in the Lord. While Job's friends offer words of dubious value at times, you have always been an encouragement to me and to others, even in the midst of sorrow and trouble. Your willingness to see the glory of the Lord in the midst of your trial is an inspiration to us all--thank you for allowing Him to use you! Love to you, dear one.

  15. Mary Ann Gay

    March 10, 2010 12:53 PM

    God truly inspires through you Beckye. I see you walk this. Everytime I see you you have a glow and a smile on your face. You are going through so much yet I see you reaching out to so many with God's love and message.

  16. Lisa Shaw

    March 11, 2010 11:52 AM

    Is it bad to say I enjoyed reading your reflection? I, too know life can throw unexpected things our way, and like you, have to remind myself that God is soverign. God is truly using you to remind many people of this.

  17. Julie Winton

    April 20, 2010 11:26 AM

    Becky, thank you for teaching us Godly wisdom in the midst of trial. What a huge encouragement you are!!! love you, julie

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Beckye Estill

Beckye Estill

Hi! I'm Beckye Estill. Our family came to HCBC NW when our youngest, Emily, was almost one year old; she is now 19 and in her freshman year at college. Our son, Jonathan, is a senior in college and will graduate from UT in May. In June my husband, Laurence, and I will have been married for 27 years. 

God has provided for us in some unexpected ways over the years, including having us win contests. We've won a pickup, a five-star vacation and many special treats as God has shown His ability to provide for, and bless, us creatively.