It’s easy to embrace the good days, but how do we embrace the bad days? The only way to embrace today is to embrace Jesus. Only in Christ can we experience life to the fullest and embrace today. 

I recently experienced heartache from someone I so dearly love. The only emotion I found myself having was sadness and the feeling of betrayal. This person has repented and asked for my forgiveness, but I couldn’t find myself embracing the moment or that person. 

During my time with Jesus, He reminded me of Romans 8:28 which 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.”

God reminded me that He has the power to turn ALL things (even the bad circumstances) around for my good. Through this heartache, I’ve learned to depend on Jesus like never before and to press into prayer for that person instead of giving in to anxiety. I’ve learned to have faith and hope amidst disappointment and to show unconditional love. 

Best of all, I’ve learned to be more like Jesus through this hard time. 

That’s the beauty of God — He is able to turn whatever was meant for our harm for our good and for His glory as we choose to love Him.  When we remember God can turn our worst situations for our good, we can embrace the hard times. No hardship is ever wasted in the Lord.

There is a purpose in heaven for every moment we go through — the good and bad, the easy and hard. 

Because there is a purpose under heaven for every time and season we go through, we can enjoy every moment of it knowing it will not be wasted.

Romans 8:28 says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” As we choose to love Jesus, He turns all things around for our good and His glory.

Every hard and painful season will never be wasted because we serve a God who turns everything around for our good and His purposes. We may not understand our circumstances at the moment, but we can embrace them knowing God does.

Will you have hope in the midst of your hardship knowing that Jesus will turn it for your good as you abide in Him?

Hebrews 12:10 says, “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

We can endure hardship as we remember that God is using it to discipline us to make us look more like Jesus. 

Hebrews 12:7 says, “Endure hardship as discipline…” When we know we are being disciplined through our hardships, we can endure hardship with joy knowing that all discipline is for our good.

Like any good father, God disciplines us as His children because He loves us and knows the best of life is found as we walk in His holiness and righteousness. 

There are some things in life that we can only learn through hardships. Embrace the hard times knowing you will reap a beautiful reward of righteousness and peace in your life. The reward of your endurance will always outweigh the pain as you abide in Jesus. 

Complaints can easily arise in our hearts if we let them. Instead of complaining, give thanks that God is using this hard time to mature you more like Jesus.  

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We can face our hardships with joy when we remember that God has a purpose through this for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). 

Embrace the moments when you are stretched to love unconditionally, grow in patience, long-suffering, and more because it’s during these moments that your faith is being strengthened in Jesus.

Our faith cannot grow unless it is tested. Will you embrace every hard moment knowing God has a purpose for it?

Don’t grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest and see His goodness (Galatians 6:9).

To embrace today will require us to embrace Jesus. Apart from Jesus, we cannot produce any good fruit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). 

Jesus makes it clear in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

So take time to embrace Jesus in the midst of the busyness. Why not take 5 minutes to acknowledge Jesus and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you? While you’re driving, go and worship Him. Take a 10 min break and meditate on His Word.

When stress, fear, lust, or hurtful thoughts arise, that’s your sign to embrace Jesus. 

If we don’t make time to embrace Jesus, we won’t be able to fully embrace the day to the fullest. Jesus has come to give us abundant life (John 10:10) so we must cling to Him throughout the day. 

Will you take time to stop other thoughts and embrace Jesus? It is the gift of God to enjoy life for those who love and obey Him (Ecclesiastes 3:13). So remember, embrace today as you embrace Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being there for me as I navigate life. Help me to stay focused on You and embrace You through every circumstance. I know that no matter what comes my way, You have good plans for me.

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