Phyllis Nissila
THE SITUATION
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20, NIV).
Nothing is wasted in God’s world, even when evil seems awash in every corner of the globe. One very excellent example of the above verse is the story Corrie ten Boom told of one of the last things her sister Betsie told her as Betsie lay dying in a Nazi concentration camp.
THE TESTIMONY
After months of the fear and torture of Ravensbruck, when many gave up hope of ever being rescued, after millions of Jews, Christians and other “Nazi dissidents” had been murdered, Betsie was still able to leave these instructions to Corrie who would soon be released because of a “bureaucratic error”: “Tell people what we have learned here…that there is no pit so deep He (Jesus) is not deeper still.”
She added, “They will listen to us because we have been here.” [1]
I have been hearing and reading Betsie’s now famous quote from a variety of sources these days (perhaps you have, too), and I have even featured it in a few of my own prior blog posts for different reasons. It bears repeating, I think, and often, now and through the challenging days ahead before the return of Jesus Christ which many believe is near.
THE PURPOSE
Here is another verse that to me is like the other “book end” to match the above verse about God’s plan for those who look to Him for the way out of their own dark places:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
No matter the power of evil, it’s God’s purpose that ultimately prevails.
And when we share what He has done for us, it has the power to saves lives—not just literally, as in the Genesis account, but in the mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual senses as well.
THE CALL
Who can you minister to today? Who can you comfort (“exhort, encourage”) through the comfort (add “consolation”) with which (you) are comforted… by God”? (2 Corinthians 1:4) [2]
Your testimony will help.
***
[1] from The Hiding Place
[2] Reference: http://biblehub.com ; Strong’s Concordance, 3870, and 3874
pnissila 
Even before I saw it in your post, Romans 8:28 came to mind. God indeed works all things for the good for those that love Him.
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Yes! Even though it might take awhile to see the results ;). Thanks for stopping by.
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Great post. Yes, I’ve said on my blog that nothing is wasted in God’s economy. If you didn’t see this, I mention Corrie here:
http://holisticwayfarer.com/2014/01/26/greatness-finale-the-triumph-of-forgiveness/
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Beautiful post of yours. Elegant and so well written. I especially like your summary: “There are a lot of bloggers writing their pain away. Every one of us has had someone to forgive. There are many bitter Christians, and on my worst days you can easily count me among them. But the Cross offers the why and the how we can move toward grace, makes the transformation possible.”
Thanks for stopping by :).
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=) Glad we connected.
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