The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.”

—Philippians 1:12

Paul could see that all his hardships—shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments, hunger, and more—had furthered the Gospel of Christ.

Sometimes we lose heart in our struggles because we can’t see what they’re accomplishing. How could there be purpose in this terrible thing?

Paul couldn’t necessarily see it while those things were happening, but he persevered in obedience, and they “turned out” for the furtherance of the Gospel. Eventually, he could see that all the hard stuff was worth it.

And so will we. We don’t have to lose heart in our sufferings.

If we could see how our struggles would bring healing and godly character to us while also furthering the Lord’s kingdom and bringing people into eternity with him, we would have the strength to endure. 

Since we believe his Word, then we can know this is true. We have assurance that all things—every circumstance, both bad and good—will turn out for good for those who love him and are called to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Things don’t turn out good coincidentally or magically; they turn out that way through God’s great providence and sovereignty.

And with the certainty of that truth, we can endure in faith and hope even when we can’t see how God could possibly use whatever we’re going through for good. 

We don’t have to wait for hindsight, because we can trust him and know that it’s true.

Whatever we’re going through will be worth it.

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