You are a gift from God, expect better days

God knows every unfair thing that has happened to you. And if you put your trust in Him, He can take a mess and turn it into a masterpiece.

“Humans look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

Slow growing in dry, gravelly soil in the South, the Maguey plant is extremely drought-tolerant. With its thick, coarse leaves, prickly thorns and sharp spikes, the Maguey needs full sun and welldrained or sandy soil to thrive.

However, over the course of many years, as the Maguey develops, it appears to be useless, insignificant and even inadequate. The plant can be overlooked and disregarded, and its future may look stagnant.

Yet, as the Maguey plant continues to mature, suddenly it blooms. In an instant, it seems, the Maguey is adorned with thousands of lovely, fragrant, yellow flowers. Although slow and sometimes discounted, the potential for glory was always within the Maguey.

Maybe at one time you were excited about your future. Then, perhaps, something happened that began to trigger your selfworth to diminish or caused you to lose your sense of value.

But you are a unique, one-of-a-kind original and worthy of God’s blessings. You’re someone special. And you are called to reveal a beauty to the world that no one else can show.

So do not lose heart. You are a gift from the Giver, “chosen by God Himself” (1 Peter 2:9), and God wants to do incredible things through you.

You may have had some tough times, unjust hurts or were unfairly treated. But God has not forgotten about the dreams of your heart. Thus, never condemn or undervalue yourself. And don’t base your self-confidence or worth on what other people think, or dwell on negative comments.

God knows every unfair thing that has happened to you. And if you put your trust in Him, He can take a mess and turn it into a masterpiece.

This is what happened to a Baptist preacher named John Bunyan (1628-1688), who was thrown into prison in England for preaching the Gospel. Great crowds would follow him as he preached. But in England in the 1660s, openair preaching outside of the official church was illegal.

When the authorities told Bunyan not to preach, Bunyan was said to have quoted I Peter 4:10, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Bunyan’s gift, he asserted, was preaching, and he would not stop spreading God’s word.

Bunyan spent 12 years in jail. Sitting in a cold cell, his self-esteem could have plummeted. With no future to speak of, Bunyan might have felt insignificant, alone or forgotten, thinking that his life was over.

On the contrary, Bunyan knew God would take what others unjustly did to him, turn the tables and somehow use it for good. Bunyan glorified God. And God, in turn, blessed him.

While in prison, Bunyan started to write the book “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Published in 1678, the book followed the journey of one man’s progress through life in which he experienced many trials and difficulties of all kinds.

Through it all, he was trying to stay true to his beliefs, while avoiding temptations and remaining on the narrow path to reach Heaven.

“Pilgrim’s Progress” has been one of the most circulated Christian books of all time. It has impacted millions of people, generation after generation.

Irrespective of his circumstances, Bunyan pressed on in faith, using his God-given gifts and abilities, and God made something significant out of Bunyan’s life.

And despite what you’ve been through, God will make something significant out of your life.

You may have been rejected; but, God, the one who matters the most, accepts you.“God has made you accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)

▶ Someone could be talking about you; yet, God, the one who matters the most, says, “You are His treasured possession.” (Philippians 4:8)

People might not approve of you; still, God, the one who matters the most, favors you. “God surrounds you with His favor.” (Psalm 5:12)

God will not fail you. He has taken care of you in the past, and He will take care of you in the future.

Accordingly, each day speak hope and blessings into your future. Send your words in the direction you would like your life to go; like a boomerang, they can come back to you in kind.

Situations may have knocked you off of your feet. Yet, get back up. Keep on trying and say, “There are better opportunities in my future.”

All the odds may be against success. But don’t give up. Continue to persevere and say, “I will achieve my goals.” Someone might have offended you. Move past it and declare, “I have many gifts and talents to be used for the betterment of others.”

Keep doing and being your best. God is going to change circumstances for the better. Miracles are headed your way. There is a place of blessings ahead for you that will restore what has been lost in your life.

Awhile back I was driving to the grocery store with my middle daughter. She turned to me and said cheerfully, “Do you know what I wish?”

Wondering what my optimistic and wise daughter was going to say, I paused for a moment and then asked, “What do you wish, sweetheart?” She replied, “I wish that everyone was born with a smile glued to their face!”

It’s time to think, speak and believe for the best to come. There are so many fantastic possibilities still in front of you. My prayer is that you won’t let anything keep you from the amazing life that God has in store.

Today and every day, put a smile on your face, knowing that God loves you unconditionally. He approves and values you. You are a gift from God.