John Newton once said, “Everything is needful that [God] sends; nothing can be needful that he withholds.” If we truly believe that our God is all-powerful and is working all things together for our good, then all the love, kindness, grace, mercy and other blessings we receive serve a divine purpose. Just as necessary are the heartaches, the pain, the suffering and trials. These things can expose parts of us that God is changing, bringing us a deeper understanding of and compassion for those around us. Our trials and temptations may be used to teach us to trust more completely in Him, even when we don’t understand why.
In my case, this means trusting that every minute of these years I am spending in prison separated from my loved ones is precious and necessary for God’s plan. It isn’t what I or my family would choose, but we trust that the Lord is at work and will see us through.
He will see you through, too, no matter how grim your situation looks. Keep your eyes on Him and see the blessings He is pouring out.