Turn the Page

Have you ever been in the middle of a good story and the hero or heroine of the story is just really going through a hard time? You are on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next! What will they do? Will it work out? What is going to happen next?

The next thing you do is put down the book, right? Wrong! You turn the page and keep going! 

Ladies, when we are in the midst of our struggles, this is what we are doing. We are turning the page of our story that God is writing. 

In certain printings of the Bible Genesis 50:20 is split at the bottom of the page. It starts out by saying

“You intend to harm me, but God intended it for good, to…”

To WHAT? What did he intend the good for? What is next? It’s a real cliffhanger isn’t it? 

We can get bogged down in our family issues, our depression, anxiety, addictions, prodigal children, and so much more that this world has to throw at us. It is difficult to press on. It is difficult to simply put one foot in front of the other sometimes. 

I know when I am feeling depressed it is hard to get out of bed, be around my family, much less go to work and function as a teacher. Some of you deal with the same things. Some of you are dealing with other struggles and trials. But no matter what it is that you are dealing with, there is more. God intended it for good. 

The end of that verse says “...to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (NIV). The SAVING of many lives. Turn the page and read the rest of that verse and you see that what God intends is a heavenly impact. Your life will have a heavenly impact if you just keep going. Keep turning the page. 

God is writing our story. He knows how it is going to end. When we read the Bible we read a story of heartache from God’s point of view as his creation sins against him. It continues through many trials. Enter Jesus - the main character of the story - and we see that he was despised and rejected by his own people. He hangs on a cross. And then the book ends? Not by far! He comes back from death in charge and overcoming the evil of this world! There is a happy ending! The same is true for your life. If you are a follower of Christ, you have a happy ending. Sometimes we get bogged down in the middle of the story where things are difficult and we don’t know what is going to happen next. How are we going to get out of this situation or how is it going to possibly work out? We have to believe and hope in Christ. 

2 Corinthians 1:5 says “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 

As a Christian we aren’t promised easy lives, but we are promised that our comfort will abound through Christ. 

So, just like the story in a novel where the main character is going through that tough time, you too have to turn the page in life. Keep allowing God to write your story. He is the author of life and knows exactly how things will work out. If you need some hope, remember to turn to his word and him. His promises never fail and he promises that in the end, Satan and all his demons will lose and those of us in Christ will have no more death,crying, or pain. (Rev.21:4)

Lord, when things get tough, let me lean on you and the promises of your word. Let me trust you as the author of my life. Let me see the heavenly impact my life will have as I use the testimony of my life - even the suffering - to allow your will to be done. Give me hope and comfort as my days continue and as you write my story. Help me to turn the page in anticipation of your great and mighty works. Amen.