Devotionals for the Heart: God wants to write a good story for your life

Trust God with Your Story
A devotional by Sarah Cole

"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.”–Psalms 139:16-18 (NIV)

I love a good story.

Give me a free afternoon and a seat in the cafe at the local bookstore, and I escape to another place and time: Boy meets girl, they fall head over heels, and live happily ever after. While romance novels aren't for everyone, happy endings are good medicine, aren't they? Especially if we doubt we'll ever experience one again.

I like to think of God as a master storyteller. With a flick of His pen, He introduces us to other characters, surprises us with new opportunities, and adds enough suspense to prepare us for what's next. As the author of time and space, we can trust Him always to know what's best for us (Matthew 6:8).

When we open a book in the middle of a story, it's a mysterious place where things are messy, and the characters' futures are up for grabs. But skimming a book's contents means we never see the complete picture, especially if we don't know how it ends.

If you're living in the messy middle, you may wonder if a happy ending is just a fairytale. But Jesus Christ’s plans for you are ultimately for your good (Jeremiah 29:11). While the adversity in your current chapter seems endless, you can trust that His favor and blessing will come in the next. If I could write my own story, I'll be the first to admit I would eliminate suffering, loss, and disappointment. But if God gave me everything I wanted, including a pain-free life, I wouldn't reach my potential or witness the miracles that glorify Him.

Knowing Jesus doesn't exempt us from suffering. Instead of giving us cliff notes ahead of time, He provides something better: the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14) and His Word (the Holy Bible) to comfort and guide us. And when we question His goodness, out of nowhere, Jesus enters the scene and rescues us (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Looking back on my life, it was during times of brokenness that God's faithful hand protected and guided me. While some chapters aren't worth repeating, I wouldn’t want my story written any other way. Not only did my love for Jesus grow, but so did I.

However painful this chapter is, find comfort in God's sovereignty (Psalms 103:19). He knows that what He's allowing will accomplish His best for you. Ultimately death isn't your final chapter because if Jesus is your Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 15:55-56). You'll know nothing but joy as you spend eternity basking in His presence (Revelation 21:4).

It sounds like a bestseller if you ask me, only better because it's true!

Let's Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being so good to me. I am confident the story You're writing for me is perfect. When adversity tests my faith, I trust that Your faithful arms will carry me. And whatever the future holds, I rejoice in the eternal future You promised me. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “God Is In This Story" by Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave. Listen to it here. 

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. As she got older, her mother’s chronic illness inspired her to design a line of greeting cards. Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their “Best of” spread.

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about Gigi (her Cocker Spaniel) was published in Guideposts (magazine) Mysterious Ways. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

Since 2022, Sarah’s devotionals have been published in The Secret Place by Judson Press, as well as David C. Cook’s Devotions and The Quiet Hour. To this day, she smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she’s not writing, Sarah enjoys watching cooking shows, designing cards and mugs, and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52