FreedomSample

But God . . .

We all have a story, and I love to listen to the stories of other people that reveal God’s glory. Some chapters are full of love and overflow with joy from beautiful moments that light up the storyteller’s face. Others are full of immense grief that, just in the remembering, brings an onslaught of tears from deep within the soul who survived a devastating season.

As a survivor, I want to share with you that no matter the details–the good, bad, or the gut wrenching, there is nothing more powerful than when we weave these words into our stories, “But God . . .” Like those moments when we thought all hope was gone, but God reached down His mighty hand and pulled us out of the darkest hole we’d ever known. Those moments when we feared our prayers to bring our prodigal child home had fallen on deaf ears, but God showed up and rescued them with His relentless love. Those moments when a “But God” encounter with The Risen Savior grows our mustard-seed faith into the size of a great sequoia!

Let’s not forget this great truth found in Acts 2:24, “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” After my late husband was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, this scripture provided firm footing for me through the battles that followed. It’s truth that I have clung to, knowing that his grave will not hold him, because our God is victorious over death, hell, and the grave.

As in the story of Joseph, God takes what the enemy intends for destruction and turns it into a “But God . . .” chapter in his story that He will use in the saving of many lives! The Author of our story is the Author of The Story–which is about grace, mercy, hope and healing. His name is Jesus. I pray you surrender your life and your story to Him. You can trust that He will prove repeatedly that He is enough, no matter what.

Father, You are the God that death cannot hold. I trust You to hold my life in Your hands.

For Further Reading: Genesis 37:18-36; Genesis 45:1-11; Romans 8:28