Have you ever wondered why something happened to you? Maybe it was a car wreck caused by someone else or like me you twist your knee playing pickleball. Here is my view on God working all things for my good.
I had hip surgery almost two years ago and it was a long recovery before all the pain left. I hired trainers but that didn’t help so I joined the YMCA. Some of my friends were in a circuit weightlifting class so I joined them. I gained muscle and strength and was feeling well. Then I decided to play pickleball because I wanted to get even stronger. I had taken pickleball classes before but was limited because of my hip. I thought now I would enjoy it more since I could move around the court without pain. Because I was feeling so much better, I went for a ball that I shouldn’t have. I twisted my good knee and pulled the tendons and ligaments which was very painful. I had to leave the YMCA in a wheelchair to go to the emergency room. Recovery time was four to six weeks.
Good Ideas or God’s Directions?
Why am I telling you this? First of all, I didn’t ask God how to increase my strength. I just thought it was good idea. I wasn’t even sure I liked playing pickleball. My waitress had said to me that morning to be careful. Her friend had broken her wrist playing pickleball. The pickleball instruction said over and over not to twist to get a ball but to slide side to side. That is hard for a former tennis player to change my mindset of sliding because I played tennis on asphalt.
It is so easy to plan and do things that seem like good ideas. But good ideas are not always God’s ideas or plans. God has trained me to not allow good things to interfere with God things. I messed up. Do I feel condemned? Nope! I know that God uses my dumb mistakes and works them for my good!
How can twisting your knee be a good thing? It isn’t the knee damage that is good, it is how God redeems it by changing mindset, allowing others to pour into my life, and planting seeds to change the healthcare systems. During my hip surgery, I had very little help and no meals were provided. My sister pointed out that because I was so independent, no one could see my needs. I went to God about this attitude of being strong and independent. Being strong and independent is good but not when it becomes a wall that keeps others out. I decided to allow people whom God wanted to pour into my life, to see my weaknesses. That was a big step for me because of past wounds from people who said they were friends.
Walls Down and Abundant Provision!
This time, with the twisted knee, I had multiple people giving me rides, picking up groceries, and bringing food. It was like a flood gate of provision opened for me. Friends went out of their way to pick up a rolling walker and shower chair from local lending groups. Neighbors took out my garbage and I even got a ramp built by the Veteran Miracle Center.
I went to see my orthopedic surgeon about my knee. I got to explain to my surgeon, at the Veteran’s Administration, why I got a chromium hip. It was because I was allergic to nickel. He asked how I knew I was allergic to nickel. I said, “It was the old cheap earrings that made me breakout.” The surgeon had just put in a plastic hip because a guy was having trouble with the metal. Now the doctor can use a chromium hip. God used my accident to help future veterans.
Romans 8:28 NIV says, “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.” This verse means that God is working both with us and for us to bring about good in tough situations.
God has a Plan!
We live in a world with all types of pollution, bad drivers, and our stupid mistakes. He is not out to punish us. We are His kids. Don’t let the lies of the devil tell you that you deserve whatever happened to you. God already had a plan in place for everything! Paul was stoned but after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went about God’s business. A prophet lost a neighbor’s ax head in the water and Elisha used a stick to make the iron float.
If you have a problem, ask God for help. It may not come the way you expect but you can expect God to work in you and in the situation to bring a good outcome. We need to take God out of our box of expectations and allow Him to work in a way they cause His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer
Father God,
Help! I made a mess. The Bible say You working in me and for me to turn everything to my good. I may not understand the why this thing happened, but I am choosing to trust You. Even if I must walk out this lesson, I know You love me and have a plan that brings life in abundance. Forgive me for my mistakes and change my attitudes by showing me Your will and plan. Thank you, Jesus, for providing all that I need. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the strength and wisdom to walk in God’s best path for my life, amen!
Scriptures: Acts 14:19,2 Kings 6:4-7, Matthew 6:10, & John 10:10
Outhouse Ministries 
Leave a comment