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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining...

Toward the end of the school year, I slacked on moving my class blog over to this blog and writing the rest of it...I have decided to spend some of my last glorious days of summer finishing up those blogs. Enjoy.

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If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that life certainly is all about expecting the unexpected. Whether good or bad, any random day can hold an astronomical life change. In one split second, everything we know to be true and right can be turned upside down. In one decision, one announcement, one breath, the trajectory of our lives can be completely redirected.

So, is this unpredictable world we live in a good or bad thing? Does knowing that so much is unknown and out of our control make things scary or exciting? How do we handle change when it hits us when we least expect it? Why does it seem that bad things so often happen to good people?

Changes are always going to happen. Life at times is going to seem unfair. We cannot control how fast or how often the curve ball is thrown, but we can control our reaction to the pitch. Part of living is being able to deal with all of the hard unanswered questions and pressing on when it seems we have been dealt an unfair hand. But most of all, it's believing and knowing that in the middle of even the most complete chaos God is always in control. God is never thrown a curve ball; he is never surprised by a turn of events. He is never unsure about how to handle a situation, and He never has to wonder why something bad has happened. As Christians, we are just as safe in putting our faith and trust in Him during the bad times as we are the good. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." When the unexpected happens, we can always be sure of one thing: God will meet ALL of our needs.

Recently, a dear friend of mine got some pretty bad news. It was unexpected and scary, and I know that if I were her, I’d be very upset. I would want to know why things were happening the way they were, and I would probably be just plain mad at the world - and at God. She, however, is choosing to stay positive, keeping her faith in God and his plan for her. She is facing the issue head on, and she is doing all that she can to resolve the problem. She is choosing to keep her life on track despite all that the world seems to be throwing her way, knowing that her needs will be met. I am so thankful for her example of relentless faith. When I asked her what helps her cope with the situation most, she referred me to John 16:33 which says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” What a refreshing reminder that was for me. Our God has overcome the world and all of its troubles. We have nothing to fear.

I encourage you all to take that same attitude when bad things seem to be occurring in your life. Don't ever forget that you can "cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22). Every cloud has a silver lining because God is in control "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).

Praise God!

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