Blessing in Disguise

Memory Verse Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Introduction As a military wife, I struggled to understand why my husband was deployed so often. Why does it seem as though he is gone more than everyone else? I questioned God. For three years, we battled against long periods apart and a rough work schedule. I even wondered if wed ever make it. Now, on the other side of those three years, I am able to see the light. I can see how God used that time to force me to rely solely on him, to teach me invaluable lessons, and to strengthen my faith in desperate times. In addition, I now have the opportunity to help other struggling military wives by using my own experiences.

Discussion What situations in your life seem like bad deals?

Reading and Questions John 9:1-38 Jesus heals on the Sabbath, again. Im guessing that if he had healed on any other day, this story wouldnt have gotten much attention. Instead, Jesus knows that the story will be told if there is commotion, so he chooses to heal on the Sabbath. Lets look at the progression of the mans faith: v17: He does not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, but instead simply as a _______________. v28-33: After they insult him, he acknowledges that Jesus must be from __________. v35-36: He later asks Jesus to tell him about the Son of Man so that he may _________________ in him. v38: He believes and he ________________ Jesus. It might be enough to stop there and thank God for bringing one person to belief, but go back to the very beginning of the passage: v2-3: Who sinned?

Why did this happen? Copyright by Melissa Fisher, July 2011.

This man was born blind. He spent many years with this birth defect, inconveniencing both him and his family. He probably wondered many times why God had given him this problem, even wondering if he or his parents had done something to deserve it as punishment. What issues in your life have made you ask, Why, God?

How have they negatively affected your life?

If God were to come to you and say, This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in your life, would that change how you feel?

How might God use your unfortunate circumstances in the future as a good thing?

Every hard time in my personal life has been used by God later in my life. When I struggled as a teenager, I never imagined God would use my experiences to work with youth. When I struggled in my marriage, I never thought God would use that as I worked with other struggling wives. In fact, the ability to help others always made my struggles worth it in hindsight. Consider the idea that God wants you to help others by learning from your struggles today. They may seem like curses on your life, but really they are blessings in disguise.

Life Application Take time this week to reflect on past struggles that you have overcome. Thank God for bringing you past your struggles, and then make the effort to help someone else that can learn from your mistakes. Always remember that none of us are better than any other, we are simply in different parts of life. Often times we learn more from the people we teach, than they learn from us!

Further Study Psalm 103:1-6

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Copyright by Melissa Fisher, July 2011.