…but God

I was talking to a very dear friend last night, and during our conversation I was reminded how powerful those two words – “but God” – can be. She is going through a difficult time in her life and she was talking about the pain she was going through, and she finished her statement by saying, “but God has helped me tremendously and is giving me strength daily.” Those two words immediately sapped the power from the pain and gave the power to God, where it belongs.

As humans, we tend to put the positive thought first, then immediately nullify it with a “but”. “I would love to get that promotion, but I probably won’t.” “I should start dieting, but it’s too hard right now.” The problem with that is that anything before the “but” doesn’t matter. And it’s the same way with God. When He’s involved, anything before the “but” does not matter either.

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20.

“And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? But God clave an hollow place that [was] in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived:” Judges 15:18-19

“Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.” Psalms 49:14-15

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him (Jesus), they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead:” Acts 15:29-30

Something terrible has happened, is happening, or will happen, but God is in control. And when God is in control, everything before the “but” DOES. NOT. MATTER.

Having that conversation with her has made me more aware of all the “buts” in my life. I’ve allowed some negative things to define my life, but now I will remember that God is stronger and bigger than anything that’s going on in my life. See what I did there with the “but”? Try it yourself. Think of the worst thing that’s going on in your life. Then say, “_________ is what is happening to me, but God will help me get through it and give me the strength I need.” You may be surprised by how the change in perspective can help you see things in a different light.