What situation seems impossible right now? Where do you feel helpless?

I have good news. If you belong to Jesus, there is always, always, always hope. We have a God who is present and powerful. Things may not look good right now, but God is in control; working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Take a look at these great “buts” and be encouraged:

Ephesians 2:1,3;4-5
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. . . and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved, and this not of yourself, so no one may boast.

Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

1 Samuel 23:14
David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

John 1:18
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Acts 7:9
And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 13:29-30
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead . . .

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

I don’t like to think about my past. It’s ugly and full of mistakes and pain. But God loved me anyway and I know the truth of Psalm 40:2 deep down in my soul:
“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” Does this mean life is perfect? Heck no. It’s not promised to be. This ain’t heaven. But it’s full of purpose and hope. And that’s all we can really ask for.

Where do you need God’s “but” today? Maybe you are still in the part of your story before the “but”. Don’t stay there. Cry out to God. He is near.

Angela