Ugly Packages

Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40:23 NASB 1977

I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel. Psalm 31:12 BSB

My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me. Job 19:14

Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the sentence of death [and were convinced that we would die, but this happened] so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9 AMP

When the kids were growing up, I found unique ways to stretch a dollar or make little look like a lot. At Christmas-time, I would often wrap small trinket-gifts with elaborate ribbons and bows. While the outside looked lavish and inviting, inside might be crayons or a dollar-store coloring book or even a new toothbrush. With great enthusiasm and grand expectations, they tore into the packages. Thankfully, the kiddos were grateful for the small gift inside, but it wasn’t exactly what they’d hoped for.

In our relationship with the Lord, the reverse is often true. Ugly packages of cancer or divorce or bitter disappointment or unemployment or imprisonment show up on our doorstep. Packages that are anything but lavish or inviting or hoped for. And not a pretty bow to be found. Truthfully, most of us throw them out without ever opening them. Casting them off with a demanding prayer or worse, in bitter resentment and doubting God’s concern for His children. No condemnation here, I’ve been there myself a time or two or ten.

And yet…  when the packages are opened, they are often the very “gift” that the Lord uses to lead us to Himself or draw us closer to Him. Many reading this can testify that an ugly gift, wrapped in pain and hurt, led them to seek the Lord for salvation (that’s my own story). Or to a deeper level of trust in the Sovereign One as they cried out in an honest, “Why Lord?” yet clinging to the promise of His faithfulness in spite of the pain.

I don’t know what package has landed on the doorstep of your life. Whether wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bows or the ugly brown paper of pain or regret or disease (the list of possibilities are endless). But this I do know, He is aware. He cares. He sits as King over our lives. And He is more than able to use all that shows up in our lives for our good and His glory. Go ahead, open the package, give thanks in all things, and then watch what He can, and will do for you. He is the giver of all good gifts.

Sometimes God wraps His glory in hard circumstances or ugly obstacles or painful difficulties, and it just never occurs to us that within those life-shaking events is a blessing in disguise. – Anne Graham Lotz

Father, I admit that when ugly gifts of pain or heartache show up at my door, my first reaction is to throw it away. Flinging with all my might. Refusing to look deeper at what You may be up to, through such ugly gifts. Enable me to focus on You and trust that You will use even this for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

A Christ-centered approach to hardship told through the autobiographical story of Becky White. Included are life application lessons as well as devotions geared for those walking through difficult days. *Contains strong language.

Book Review: This book tells of a woman’s journey that is so close to the journey my own mother took. I love how she turned to God in every situation, it was a tough life but she realized without God nothing would change, her bravery was astounding. love love loved this book and will be ordering another copy to give to a friend in a couple of weeks. (Used with permission)
by Patricia L. Chapman