God bless you! It’s great to be with you today. Stay connected with us throughout the week via our daily podcast, YouTube channel, and social media. If you’re ever in our area, we’d love to see you in person.
Let me start with something funny. I heard about a man who was the only Protestant in a Catholic neighborhood. Every Friday during Lent, while his neighbors ate cold fish, he grilled steak in his backyard. Temptation was too much for them, so they convinced him to convert to Catholicism. The priest sprinkled water on him, saying, “You were born a Baptist. You were raised a Baptist. But now, you’re a Catholic.”
The next year, on the first Friday of Lent, they smelled steak again. They rushed over and found him sprinkling water over his steak, saying, “You were born a cow. You were raised a cow. But now, you’re a fish!”
Say it like you mean it:
This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess: My mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
We all face the good, the bad, and the ugly in life. We enjoy the good—favor, open doors, and blessings. We tolerate the bad—a setback, a neighbor talking about us. But then there are ugly situations:
- An unexpected medical report.
- A painful breakup.
- A deep disappointment.
It’s easy to get discouraged, but remember this: God doesn’t allow difficulty unless He plans to use it for your purpose. “Everything serves His plan.” That includes the good times and the ugly ones.
God’s Work in the Ugly
Ugly seasons are uncomfortable, but they are necessary for growth. David said, “God, You enlarged me in my distress.” Not when life was easy, but when he was being chased, criticized, and overlooked.
In the tough times, God is stretching you, strengthening your faith, and preparing you for greater things.
The Story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah
Jacob worked for seven years to marry Rachel, the woman of his dreams. But after the wedding, he woke up to find that he’d married her sister, Leah, instead. Leah wasn’t Jacob’s choice. She was described as having “weak eyes,” or being unattractive compared to Rachel.
Jacob was devastated. He confronted his father-in-law, Laban, who explained that it was their tradition for the older daughter to marry first. Laban promised Jacob could marry Rachel if he worked another seven years.
Sometimes, like Jacob, we pray for Rachel, but Leah shows up. We work hard, do the right thing, and expect blessings, but life throws us a curveball. What you do in those moments determines whether you’ll stay stuck or move forward to God’s best.
Leah Was Necessary
Leah wasn’t Jacob’s first choice, but God had a purpose for her. Leah gave birth to Judah, and from Judah’s lineage came Jesus Christ. Without Leah, there would be no Messiah.
You may be facing a “Leah” right now—an ugly situation that doesn’t make sense. But trust that Leah is part of God’s plan. Without her, you won’t see your Rachel.
Jacob’s Perspective Changed
At the end of his life, Jacob instructed his family to bury him next to Leah, not Rachel. Looking back, he realized Leah was necessary. She played a pivotal role in his destiny.
One day, you’ll look back on the difficulties and realize they were instrumental in shaping you. Those ugly situations are preparing you for something beautiful.
Trust God in the Ugly
The cross was ugly, but it led to resurrection. Your ugly situation is not the end of your story. God is using it to bring you into your purpose.
As Romans 8:28 reminds us:
You might not understand why you’re facing Leah, but if you stay faithful and trust God, He’ll turn your mourning into dancing and give you beauty for ashes.
Closing Prayer
If you’ve never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I want to give you the opportunity. Pray this simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make You my Lord and Savior.”
If you prayed that prayer, we believe you’ve been born again. Get into a good Bible-based church, stay connected, and keep God first place.
Amen!
