Do you feel disappointed or hopeless?

Disappointment and hopelessness seem to run together sometimes. We can fail to the point of finally giving up and not having hope for a bright future. Our God is the God of redemption, restoration, and brilliant futures for all of His people. Only in deception can we miss the fact that in Him, defeat is temporary and it often becomes strength for the journey.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

Notice it says "everything" works together for the good of us. This means that despite the good things that come:

Defeat works together for the good,
Delay works together for the good,
Lack works together for the good,
Loss works together for the good,
Sickness works together for the good,
And finally, even Death works together for the good

for all of us, His children.

The Lord promises that the end result for all of us is triumphant, so be patient and be encouraged beloved of God.

Excerpted from "Advancing Through Adversity -- Rising Above Self-comfort, Disappointment and Fear". VISIONARY ADVANCEMENT STRATEGIES INT by Robert Ricciardelli © 2007. All rights reserved. (Please include this line to forward the message).