I keep hearing the phrase: "You will soon see - that which is happening TO you, is happening FOR you". The stuff in your life that is causing you stress, that things aren't working out, the situations which you're struggling through, relationships which are falling apart - it's messy, it's painful, it's so hard - but God is at work in the mess. He might not have caused it, but He is working through it. One day soon you will look back and see that you couldn't be where you will be then, if you hadn't been where you are right now.

Joseph could never have been prime minister if he hadn't been so badly mistreated by his brothers, and then falsely accused and thrown into prison.

The rubble surrounding his life became the roadway to his destiny.

God works ALL things - not some things, not good things, not a few things - but ALL things for your good. So as you look at the things in your life right now that seem a mess, keep reminding yourself:

'This looks like it's happening to me, but it's actually happening for me.'

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Romans 8:28-32,35,37-39

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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Genesis 50:20

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today.”

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Isaiah 43:1-2

“But now, this is what the Lord says---he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”