Many years ago, while walking the streets of New York City, I became worn out, tired in soul and body. I developed mononucleosis and ended up in the hospital for six weeks and developed a growth in my throat. I could not swallow, and sometimes I couldn’t even catch my breath. My weight soon fell to less than 115 pounds. Since I could not travel, all the income to the ministry quickly dried up, and it looked like the end of Teen Challenge.
I remember the night I cried out in desperation, "Lord, I give up! Teen Challenge is all yours. I am just going to trust you. If you want the ministry’s doors to close, that is up to you; but please, remove this thing from my throat." Within an hour, I coughed up a fleshy growth the size of a large walnut.
I left the hospital a day or two later and soon got my strength back. I discovered that while I was away, Teen Challenge had survived! I do not know how the Lord did it, but while I was ill, the staff began to trust the Lord instead of depending on me. That is what God was trying to accomplish.
Beloved, your troubles are not unforeseen accidents. No matter what you are going through or how deeply you are hurt, God is right on target and right on time.
You may think the devil came in and interrupted God’s plan for your life, but that is not the case. It does not matter if you did something stupid or careless. If you have repented, the Lord can harness everything meant for evil and turn it around for good.
Don’t focus on your past mistakes. God promised to restore to you all the years the cankerworm has eaten (see Joel 2:25). Encourage yourself with these words and let them become your life and hope: "My God can do anything. He has not forgotten me. No one can change his plans. No matter how bad things look, he has everything under control!"
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