One of the most amazing promises in Scripture is that no matter how hopeless a situation seems, God can bring something good from it (Romans 8:28).  This is not to say that the situation is good itself, but rather, something good can come from it.  What a God thing this is – to have the power to redeem every moment for something better.

One of my most poignant memories of this powerful principal was the day our 16-year-old daughter totaled the car. She got her license that morning, went to lunch with her dad, who prayed for her safety, and then begged to drive to the mall and back. Nowhere else, I promise.  He capitulated.  And why not? She was more than responsible. It was an innocent mistake, one we’ve all made as new drivers: she looked down to change the radio station, the car drifted to the right. She hit a mailbox first, and then, sailing over a culvert, a tree.  When we arrived at the scene, our daughter and her two friends were being tended to by EMTs.  All three were strapped to boards with their heads immobilized, standard protocol for the severity of the accident.  What good could possibly come from this?  Almost immediately, blessings started emerging from the rubble. 

Ready? Go! All three girls walked out of the ER with minimal injuries. While at the hospital, her dad was able to share with the other parents that earlier in the day he had prayed over our daughter, and that prayer was answered as all three girls were protected in a crash that should have had far worse results. In a yard where children normally played, there were none the afternoon of the accident.  No one else was hurt and no other vehicles were involved. In one day our daughter became the safest driver you’ll ever meet. The insurance company gave us a good enough settlement that we were able to replace the car with one more suitable to the needs of our family. Was the accident a good thing? Of course not! Did good come out of it? Without doubt.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, we find ourselves the recipients of more bad news every single day. There are more closures, more cases confirmed, more talk of recession or worse.

Can anything good come from this?

According to Romans 8:28, the answer is a resounding yes. China is seeing blue skies for the first time in who knows when.  People around the world are reaching out to their neighbors, offering help in times of need.  What good are you seeing? What are you thankful for? These are frightening times, to be sure, but God promises that somehow, some way, good can come from it.

Love,
Gigi

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who
love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.  –Romans 8:28 (NIV)