Day 31 Suffering Redeems

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I remember the first time I heard this verse. It was music to my soul. It was not long after our son Gabe was born and I was uncertain of what our future held. This verse helped me see the light on the horizon during a dark time. It was the light of hope.

When Gabe arrived, we had no prior knowledge that there was anything wrong. The shock of his deformed arms and legs was overwhelming. We had no idea what the future held for our new baby boy. It was frightening.

I have to admit I entertained thoughts that maybe God was punishing me for the sins of my past. I wondered if He was making me suffer through my future.

But this verse in Jeremiah 29 told me that God's plan for me (and for Gabe) was good. He didn't have any plan to harm me. His plan is to give me hope.

Seventeen years after Gabe was born we established our nonprofit organization to help other families walk through the issues and challenges of living with a disability. We named it Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE because God's promises to give us a hope and a future. He has redeemed our story to help other people. Our foundation is secure in Him.

I know now without a shadow of a doubt that God redeems. He takes what the enemy means for evil and shows us how to work it for good.

I hope that whatever you are going through you'll consider the truth that God's plan for you is good. Over and again in the Bible we are reminded of His promises.

Everything we go through is redemptive. God will use it to teach. God will use it to help others.

It is all beyond our comprehension because man does not think like God does. So it is by faith we choose to believe.

I'm so glad this has been my choice. Will you make it yours?

God Bless Your Heart

Gigi
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

You can learn more about our nonprofit organization at http://www.gabeshope.org/

The idea for this blog post was taken from the January 31^st devotional in "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing. I hope you'll pick up a copy of this encouraging book.