See the end of the story

See the end of the story.

This week, I was preaching through Ruth chapter one (my new series on the book of Ruth—and seeing Jesus in the Old Testament—releases November 7th … more on that in the coming weeks).

I was talking through the distress and bitterness of Naomi as she returned to Bethlehem after losing her husband and two sons. She had lost everything.

She is in such despair that she blames God and even wants her name to be changed from Naomi (pleasant/sweetness) to Mara (bitterness).

But that isn’t the end of her story.

So often times, when we are going through a season of difficulty, lament, or suffering—we miss out on what God is doing (usually behind the scenes). We may blame Him for the trials yet forget that He wants to use the tribulation in our lives to bring about something beautiful.

James 1:2–4, tells us, “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

If you desire to be perfect, complete, lacking in nothing … then you need trails.

Why?

Because God wants to leverage the trials in your life to make you look more like Jesus. Paul tells us in Romans 8:28–29: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers…”

That is why Paul tells us in Romans 5:3 that he boasts, brags, and celebrates his afflictions/trials/suffering/tribulations – he knows what God is doing in his life with the difficulty.

When I read the book of Ruth, I know the end of the story. I see how Naomi’s distress and bitterness becomes beauty and sweetness by the end of chapter four. But she can’t see it.

Yet we know the end of the story. We have the final chapter—perhaps not in your unique situation, but in God’s big plan—Jesus wins. We know God’s character and purpose and how He wants to use the trials, difficulties, suffering, challenges, pain, tribulation, and seasons of lament in your life.

So no matter what you are walking through right now, may I encourage you to see the end of the story. See His beautiful sweet provision and victory amidst any bitterness and blight.

Hold fast to God’s character, even if the circumstances He has allowed in your life don’t make sense.

Know I am praying for you and cheering you ever deeper into Christ!

Photo Credit: Brandi Redd