Good Things Happen Too

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

John 10:10(NIV)

I’ve found this poison thought process, that I think a lot of us develop after trauma.

We are afraid to be happy, excited, or hopeful, because it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens again.

After something bad happens, we feel like that’s all that will happen from here on out.

That’s. Not. God.

That thought is a trap. It’s a chain, meant to tie you down, and keep you from enjoying life as God intended.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10(AMP)

This verse tells me that while, yes, there is a thief out there, there is also a Redeemer. And thankfully, the one that I serve is the latter.

I do not live by the rules of the wicked one. I do not bow to the lies that fear tries to tell. Do not be deceived.

Life is not some cosmic joke trying to trick you. Life was created by the One in that scripture that intended for you to “enjoy life”.

Life was created by a good good Father. Life originated with your good in mind. Life was made for abundance.

So for those of you who are afraid to rejoice. Afraid to put on that garment of praise that Isaiah 61 talks about, because you think the sound might attract an attack, hear me now- Good Things Happen Too.

Just because something bad has happened in your life, does not mean you were created for it.

Read that again.

It happened. And it stinks. Trust me, I know.

But the Bible refers to those in Christ as more than conquerors. We are over-comers. We are the head and not the tail. Above and not beneath. We are the righteousness of Christ.

 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-38(NIV)

Nothing. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Not what happened in the past. Not the trauma. Not the pain. Not the fear.

Next time you feel hopeful, and then fear tries to pluck out that God-given foresight, say this, “Good things happen, too.”

And because of Who our God is, Romans 8:28 tells us that even when it’s bad, God makes it good. I don’t know how He does it. But my God works with ashes.

  “and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3(NIV)

You were not made to fear the future. You were made to speak life into it. We have a God that goes ahead of us and makes a way. We have the Champion always interceding on our behalf. The odds are not against you. The devil has not bested our Redeemer. God has not looked away.

You are held. You are covered. You are safe.

Your life was meant to be enjoyed and celebrated.

Do not waste what Jesus paid such a high price for.

Good things happen, too.

Be Blessed,