The ugly situation is where you have to prove to God what you’re made of. We can’t see it at the time, how any good can come out of the ugly situation, where we were betrayed, we’re dealing with an illness, we lost a loved one. It may not be fair, but without it, you couldn’t become who you were created to be. It’s depositing something in you. It’s stretching you and getting you prepared for things greater than you’ve imagined.

Jesus said in Matthew, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” We pray for blessings, favor, health. But there are levels of your destiny you cannot reach without taking up your cross. Taking up your cross is not some sad, defeated, suffering life. We’re supposed to live an abundant, joyful, victorious life. But there will be crosses, betrayals, unfair situations, dealing with an addiction. We don’t like it. We’re uncomfortable. You have to do like Jacob and not get bitter. Keep doing the right thing when it’s hard. Endure when you feel like giving up. Stay in peace when you should be worried. That’s what it means to take up your cross. You’re in an ugly situation, but you’re not moved. You know it’s all working for your good. Check out this new message from Joel! "Dealing with Ugly Situations". https://bit.ly/3rn12Nj

Let me encourage you: don’t say another negative word about yourself. You may think it, but don’t verbalize it. If you don’t speak it out, that thought will die. You won’t give it life. It won’t become a reality. But when you go around putting yourself down, “I’m unattractive, I’m not that talented, I don’t have a good personality.” That’s pushing down all the good things God put in you. That will keep your personality from blossoming, your beauty from shining, your gifts from flourishing.

How you handle the betrayals, the loss, the delays, that will determine whether you see the beauty. It’s easy to get sour, live with a chip on your shoulder. “God, You healed my mother. How come You didn’t heal my father?” Or like David, “God, my own family has turned on me.” Those ugly times are not random, not happenstance. That’s a sign God is up to something. God knows what He promised you, and He knows what He put in you that you don’t even realize. It’s all working for your good. Be inspired by this message from Joel, "Dealing with Ugly Situations". Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3rn12Nj

Bed time 🤺

Excellent service

Controller of glory

City of grace