Devotional by Brian Chilton
I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “Behind every cloud, there is a silver lining.” Noting the silver lining in passing storm clouds as they are juxtaposed to the brilliant clear blue sky, the phrase notes that something good can come out of even the worst of circumstances. Naomi Arnold tells the story of her father’s passing after a long battle with cancer. While Naomi notes that she still misses her father terribly and still wonders why he died, her father’s death spurred Naomi and her husband to leave their well-paying jobs to pursue their dream upstart businesses. She said, “My dad’s terminal illness gave us permission to turn our five-year plan into a now plan.” While we endure tragic events in life, God has a way of bringing something great out of those circumstances. Joseph endured many tragedies in life. But those tragedies made him into the person he was meant to be. Joseph tells his brothers, “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.’ And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (Gen. 50:20-21, CSB). God uses our troubles, trials, and tragedies to shape us into the people he wants and intends us to be. As a refiner, God often tests us by the fires of life which results, as Peter notes, in “praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7, CSB). Thus, as this pandemic departs, let us look back and count the ways that God has used this to shape us into the people he wants us to be. What has been your silver lining in the COVID-19 storm?