Bringing Good out of Evil

My Spiritual Journey

The Lord Jesus is the only one I know who can bring good out of evil. He did it for Joseph in Egypt and He did it for me.

As a young Christian, I experienced one bad night when I almost lost my faith. Many longtime readers know my testimony.

I grew up in church. But I didn’t see God make a difference in my family’s life. So at age 13, I became a atheist, like my older brother. We proudly proclaimed we didn’t need a “spiritual crutch” unlike those weak-minded Christians.

We thought we were realists. Actually we were deceived.

I entered Michigan State University as a committed atheist. But I returned my second year, I was a baby believer, thanks to the witnessing and prayers of the Christians around me.

But here’s something you might not know.

When we believe the devil’s lie for a long time, he can still use it against us. We’re still vulnerable.

Nightmare

About three years after I came to Christ, I entered a seven-week Christian training program. I’d just finished my final exams at MSU a day or two before, then immediately traveled to another state several hours away. During the summer, each of us spent 8 hours a day searching for a temporary job.

At night and on weekends we studied Christian doctrine, ate together, enjoyed team activities and learned deeper Biblical truths.

Then life became very frustrating.

Unlike almost everyone else, I couldn’t find a job. All the other students in the program had found work. I hadn’t. I kept praying and filled out applications for lots of advertised jobs. Nothing worked out. It got to be 4 or 5 weeks.

I was horribly discouraged. Every door slammed in my face. My team leader—who couldn’t afford it—covered my costs, week after week.

Finally the crisis came.

The Crisis

By then, was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Unlike other college students, I’d had no time off between final exams and joining the program. I also felt panicked, because I couldn’t pay my way.

The devil loves to go after weakened prey.

One night, while laying in bed after lights-out, Satan started tormenting me with doubt.

Maybe the reason you haven’t found a job is because there is no God. Maybe everything you’ve believed for the past three years is false.

For one horrible moment, I 100% believed the devil’s lie. Silently lying on my bed, in the dark, I cried out to a God I no longer believed existed.

Lord, if you’re real, if you exist, please help me—I’m dying as a Christian.

Immediately, the Holy Spirit bought to mind a verse my teammate had quoted in jest that morning.

I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord. (Psalm 118:17 NASB 1995)

Immediately I started saying this verse in my mind over and over. Satan couldn’t get in word in edgewise. Soon after, I fell sleep. The next morning was Saturday. Do you know what that morning’s doctrinal study focused on?

The existence of God.

Good out of Evil

Satan tormented me that night and meant to destroy my faith. But that wasn’t the Holy Spirit’s plan. My Heavenly Father allowed the devil’s attack, then caused it to backfire.

Because I desperately prayed to my non-existent God and He answered my prayer clearly. I have never doubted the Trinity’s existence since.

My Spiritual Point

How does God bring good out of evil?

Well, it’s like there’s a metaphysical chess going on between two mismatched players. Jesus is a chess Grand Master. Meanwhile the devil is a cocky teenager who’s only been playing chess for a few months. The enemy has no idea what’s unfolding during the game. Because his mind can’t understand the complex strategy behind each and every move Jesus makes.

It’s wonderful to watch. Joseph explains it best in Genesis 50.

²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Joseph revealing himself to his brothers in Egypt, during the famine. (Genesis 50:20 RSV)

I downloaded these images from Pixabay.com.

Resources:

Amputee football players are amazing to watch. In America we call this sport soccer. Here are some videos.

Penalty Shot Goal

The Incredible Athletes of Sierra Leone’s Amputee Soccer Club