Unfair situations ultimately will turn around for your best advantage

Feeling the chill of the snow-covered earth beneath his fur-lined moccasins, an established master painter traveled to a rural, small mountain village for a muchneeded getaway.

One especially beautiful morning, while the painter was in the area, he visited a long-time friend.

The picturesque blue skies counterbalanced the howling winds, as the painter arrived at his friend’s home. There, the path led to a cozy, stone cottage. And, the painter knocked at the front door.

His friend answered, and the master painter stepped inside the foyer. With a warm welcome, the two embraced. Yet, the painter noticed that his dear friend had been weeping.

With a wave of her hand, the friend beckoned the painter to the dining room. A pot of steaminghot coffee and two cups were on the side table.

They sat down on sturdy wooden chairs, and there was a small fire burning in the fireplace.

Then, the master painter leaned forward and asked, “Are you all right?” The friend shrugged.

After a short pause, the friend let out a big sigh, and she showed the painter an exquisite, heirloom porcelain dish that was given to her by her deceased mother.

It had sentimental value. But the large plate had just been broken.

The friend’s face was pale, and she tried to blink away her tears as she explained, “I made a mistake and placed the plate on the edge of the counter. I turned quickly to answer the phone, and I bumped the plate with my arm. The plate fell on the tile floor and it broke.”

Listening with care, the master painter leaned closer to his friend. Then, he asked if he could look at the broken plate. The friend placed the broken pieces of the plate in the master’s hand.

Neither one of them spoke for a moment.

Next, the painter questioned, “When I leave to go back home, may I take the plate with me?”

With a hint of a smile, the friend nodded ‘yes.’ And with shaking hands, she gave the master painter the treasured heirloom.

Weeks later, the friend walked down her driveway to the mailbox to pick up her daily mail. She discovered a large box leaning against the mailbox. She reached for it and carried the box back to her house and into her charming living room.

As she tentatively opened the box, wrapped in heavy plastic and Styrofoam was the plate.

Tears welled up in the friend’s eyes, as she gently removed the packaging. Stunned, she stood there mesmerized. For the master painter had put the broken pieces of the plate back together again.

Moreover, the painter created an exquisite design of beauty on the plate where it had been damaged.

When the friend put the broken plate into the master’s hands, something wonderful came from that mishap. Completely transformed, the heirloom plate was more precious and valuable than ever before. The master turned a mess into a masterpiece.

Have you made a mistake or had a setback? Or, maybe, you’re feeling broken, worthless or insignificant. Perhaps, you were a person who always went after your dreams. Then, something happened that caused you to recede.

For in challenging times, it can be easy to let circumstances overwhelm you until you just give up on yourself and your precious goals and dreams.

But the disappointments and tough challenges that we face can be like that broken plate and become the basis for a more exquisite design in our lives when we place them in God’s Hands.

He can restore broken dreams and take the undeserved and unfair situations that have transpired and, ultimately, turn them around for your best advantage.

So, turn to God. Pray, and put your cares and worries into the Master’s Hands. Despite what has occurred or where you are now, do not fear or falter. God will inter twine together all of your past experiences into a beautiful work of art.

In the Bible, Job, a blameless and upright man, went through many rough times and lost almost everything that was dear to him; losing his family, his health and worldly goods.

Nevertheless, amidst all his trials, Job never denounced God. In spite of his afflictions, Job revealed a surrendered heart. He put his future in God’s Hands, and God not only brought Job through his difficulties, but He gave Job more blessings at the end of his life than he had had in the beginning. “…I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.” (Zechariah 9:12).

Before David sat on the throne, God was shaping him. David was a shepherd boy tending to his father’s sheep. He was alone and virtually went unnoticed. However, there on the isolated hills of Judea, David learned to be humble, faithful and obedient.

He trusted God with his life. And when the time was right, David became king. “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:23).

When Caleb was 85 years old, he said to the Lord, “I am as strong now as when I was 40, and I want to take another mountain.” (Joshua 14:6-13). Caleb didn’t sit back and yield, becoming down and discouraged, thinking that his best days were over.

Rather, Caleb believed there were additional goals for him to accomplish, other mountains for him to conquer, and that God would continue to use and bless him abundantly.

You are strong and courageous, so never quit or stop believing for a better future. One touch of the Master’s Hand can bring you to a place of victory. God wants to bless and use your life in extraordinary, new ways.

Thus, watch and see what God will do. For God is saying to you today, “My Hand is arranging opportunities that will cause your dreams to happen,” “My Hand is directing the right people to come across your path,” and “My Hand will renew your strength.”

There are wonderful blessings ahead for you. So, “Humble yourself therefore under the mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6). You have countless gifts for which to give to others.

Therefore, go out each day with a faith-filled, grateful and hopeful outlook.

God loves you, and His love will never fail you. Today, tomorrow and always, you’re in the Master’s Hands.