Thanksgiving and when things are hard

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (HCSB) They had discovered a spot on my Mother-in-law’s lung. It turned out to be cancer. On the day of the operation the anesthesiologist goofed and ripped her throat, so they had to cancel the operation and she had to recover from that. It was a lousy, frightening thing to happen. But before they rescheduled her for the surgery again they took more scans and discovered another spot on her lung they would not have removed during the first operation, so the second time they were able to remove all of the cancer.Of course Beverly could also have died from that doctor’s mistake and then I could not have written the first paragraph. But it would not have changed the truth that God really does work everything for the good of those who love Him. “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” …  “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances (Paul was imprisoned) have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel” … “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:6, 12, 21 (NASB, parenthesis mine), is what Paul wrote to believers who couldn’t make sense out of Paul’s imprisonment as well as their own difficulties. He wanted them to know that believers are not exempted from the crap of life, but he also didn’t want them to forget that the benefits of loving God don’t stop when life becomes difficult, unfair, and painful. God knows how to use what stinks, what scars, what is meant for evil and work it for good. Of course we cannot experience that by reading about it, you have to live it, walk through it.Maybe last Thursday was a tough Thanksgiving Day for you. Maybe it was hard for you to be grateful to God because of the year you have had. Maybe it has been the toughest, most painful, and totally confusing year of your life. It is hard to see the good there, like when the anesthesiologist botched, when we didn’t know the outcome. That’s why I am writing this pastor’s note, so anger, bitterness, lack of answers, and confusion would not keep you or derail you from loving God, from living with hope, from knowing that even death is no match for God and his goodness. Sometimes, when things are really hard and raw, we are just left with God Himself, but that is the greatest blessing of all.“The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me… But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength … Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NLT).“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (NLT).To God be all glory, love you, Pastor HansP.S.  I would love to hear your experience with the truth of Romans 8:28, or your questions, or pray with you if you feel alone. Just call me at email me at dergermanshepherd@gmail.com or call me at 209 852-2040.