Bridget A. Thomas
Every day is a gift!
God Can Use Anything
We each have had things in our lives that we wish God would just take away. Sometimes it’s a battle we are facing, or sometimes it’s just something pesky we are dealing with.
However, there are also times when God will use these grievances for something amazing. I have two examples that I read about in recent months that I wanted to share.
Interestingly, I read these stories in two different books. But when I gathered them together for this post, I realized they were both originally shared by Corrie ten Boom, survivor of a German concentration camp.
Undetected
During the Cold War, Corrie met a woman in Russia with Multiple Sclerosis. She relied on her husband for her care and even depended on pillows to keep herself propped up.
This lady was immobile. However, she was able to move one part of her body – her index finger on her right hand. For many hours every day and night, she used that finger to translate the Bible, as well as other Christian books, into Russian.
When Corrie met this woman, she felt deep sympathy for her circumstances. But the lady’s husband said to Corrie, “God has a purpose in her sickness. Every other Christian in the city is watched closely by the secret police. But because she has been so sick for so long, no one ever looks in on her. They leave us alone, and she is the only person who can translate, undetected by the police.”
Wow! What a story. How amazing it is think of God using this situation for His glory in such a powerful way.
(I read about this in the book titled The End of Me by Kyle Idleman. Side note that this book is amazing. I have read several of Idleman’s books, and each helped me grow in my Christian walk in a significant way. And this story was originally shared in Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom.)
Big Impact
The second story I wanted to share was when Corrie and her sister, Betsie, went to a concentration camp during World War II. The barrack that they were assigned to had fleas, but Betsie told Corrie, “We must give thanks for the fleas.” This might sound like a strange thing to give thanks for.
However, due to the fleas, the guards were afraid to enter the barrack. This meant that Betsie and Corrie were able to hold Bible study each night. And in those nights, they and their friends grew closer to the Lord, even in the midst of these horrible circumstances.
How awesome that God could even use fleas to make a big impact on these ladies’ hearts.
(I read about this in Psalms for the Anxious Heart by Becky Harling. An encouraging 30 day devotional for those walking through difficult days. And the story was originally published in Corrie ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place.)
God really can use anything for a greater good. As it says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
When we are dealing with a difficulty, or even when we are dealing with a seemingly minor inconvenience, we often can’t see any good coming from those situations. We are so focused on the challenge in front of us that our peripheral vision seems to be blocked. But every little thing that we deal with, God can and will use for good. We might not always know how God used it, but we can trust that He did. It says so in His Word and His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
The next time we are facing something that we wish would just go away, I pray that we remember how God works all things for good.
Thank you for reading. You are in my prayers. And if you have any specific prayer requests, please let me know. And thank you for saying a prayer for my family. God bless you!
© 2018-2024 Bridget A. Thomas. All rights reserved.
Bridget A. Thomas 
Good morning Bridget, thank you for sharing these encouraging stories of how God can use any circumstances for His glory. In a similar way that is part of my testimony; how my health issues as a youngster stopped me moving away from Fife and the people who would share the Good News with me. Then in later years in hospital having opportunities to share Jesus with folk who nursed me or were other patients. God certainly can use any circumstances for His Glory – hallelujah!
God bless you today sister 🙏
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Thank you for sharing that, Alan! Although none of us would be eager for health issues, it’s beautiful to see how God used those times in a powerful way. 🙌 God bless you and your wife. You both are in my prayers 🙏
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Bridget, love both the stories you shared. What an encouragement to keep trusting God to use any and every situation for good and for His glory.
God bless you my friend 💙
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It’s amazing how God can take broken pieces and turn them into something beautiful. It really does remind us to trust Him with everything- the good and the bad. God bless you too, Manu! 💝
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Corrie Ten Boom is an amazing example of God working in our lives in the worst of circumstances. I love her quote- There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still
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That’s a good one! God’s love changes everything! 🙌
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“The Hiding Place” shifted my perspective. What a remarkable family who exemplified beauty for ashes. I follow the museum on FB, and they post her quotes every day. She taught to look for the lesson in the midst of the rubble.
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I didn’t know about the museum or the FB page. Thank you for that. I just hopped over and followed! Thinking about Corrie’s life and how she was able to come through those trials stronger, it really does help us with our own perspectives. And it’s amazing to see how God can take the difficulties and use them for His glory. 🙌
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You’re most welcome. 🙂 Amen.
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“God really can use anything for a greater good” This is harder to see up close, but easier to know —without a doubt —in hindsight. The greatest challenge for me is when I’m in a situation and I’m not sure how God‘s gonna fix it, or help me through it, but he always does, and I believe he always will. Our difficulties don’t disappear, but neither does a loving God! Somebody take up an offering, because brother David is preaching!!😁
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You make a good point about what we see in the moment vs what we see in hindsight. When we are in the midst of a trial, our view is very limited. But when we look back, we can see God’s hand on our lives and the situation. And an excellent point about not knowing how God will fix it. There are some situations that seem impossible to get through. But God! He makes a way where there is no way! I especially loved this – “Our difficulties don’t disappear, but neither does a loving God!” So true! And yes, Brother David is preaching! LOL! Thank you for your comment! It was a post in and of itself 😁
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Thank you so much for sharing what you’ve read. These are truly inspiring stories. It’s so true that God can use anything for good. Even the things that could be considered devastating, depressing, or irritating. If we are willing He will use us for greater things. Not everyone will be able to see the blessing in some of these circumstances, but those who do will feel a closeness to the Lord that will mean immeasurably more to them than anything they may lose in this life.
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend, Bridget. Blessings. 💕🌸🦋
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Hi Tina! I hope I can reply to you this time. Last week my reply wouldn’t go through to you, for some reason. So you might not have seen my comment to you on my last post. Hopefully it was just a glitch and we are back to normal now… I like your point about being willing to allow the Lord to use us. Abiding in Him and surrendering to Him are big steps forward that will allow Jesus to work through us. And I really like what you said about feeling “a closeness to the Lord that will mean immeasurably more” than anything we may lose. This is so true. When we are on the midst of a trial, and make the decision to lean on Him, and allow Him to have control, it really does draw us closer to Him in a sweet way… I hope you’re enjoying your weekend too. And God’s blessings to you too 💕
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Very powerful and moving. It’s very rewarding and even more needed in these days and times, peace and appreciate you
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So true. We are surrounded by bad news and many trials. May we remember that even in the midst of the storm, God is working! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
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What an awesome God!
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Amen! 🙌
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I am with Alan on this subject since my later years has brought on some not so nice health issue that render me hospitalized. As over seas missionaries for years and becoming part time retired it has felt like I have lost something. It’s a wonderful feeling to be full time in the ministry, especially in places few have gone. So giving that up even for health reason has given the enemy some grounds to bring the negative into my mind.
Alan words are true and I found my new mission field in the hospital during Covid when my kidneys shut down and my heart was failing. That hospital room was perfect place to share the love of Christ. Who ever came into my room had to be there for they were getting paid to take care of me. They were not going to shun me for speaking about the Lord. Maybe its because the nurses and doctors and those people who brought me my meals, took my blood, cleaned my room were more open then I thought they would be. I had one of my doctors tell me he had signed more death certificates in just a few months from Covid than any of his former years, so he was receptive to allow me to pray for him. Even the nurses who some were not believers but needed prayer and accepted it. Yep, a hospital is like a first would country dealing with whole world issues, illness and death. And I learned a little more about trusting the Holy Spirit about waiting for him to give me courage and insight when the time was right or wrong for sharing for my zeal is high but not always needed. I probably grew as much in that hospital in my understand into God’s ways and I did on the mission field. Hindsight is insight which is why we can see so clearly at times in hindsight God’s hand in our lives and trials. Love your post, it drips with truth and wisdom. Blessings
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Betty, thank you for sharing that. I love hearing how God used your time in the hospital to reach others. I can only imagine how that lifted you up, even while your health was in bad shape. And you allowed the love of Jesus to show up in the lives of the medical staff around you. I pray we all can be receptive to the Lord’s lead in this way! ♥️
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Thanks for sharing. GOD always has a purpose in everything. It is the only way to have meaning in our lives. So often I do ask: LORD, what is the purpose of this or that? What should I see? Living on mission and sharing the GOSPEL also gives us purpose for the here and now. Blessings friend!
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That’s such a great attitude – to ask the Lord what the purpose is in different situations. And it brings comfort to know that when we are facing a difficulty, God is going to use it for something good. Only God can turn our worst days into something beautiful. Blessings to you too, my friend ♥️
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YES aren’t we so so blessed that GOD alone can turn anything evil for good!!!
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Amen! 🙌
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Excellent post! There is much that we do not understand in life, but God does work everything for good. Praying for your family and wishing you blessings!
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So true. His ways are not our ways. When we remember that, it helps us to trust
Him in the difficult times. Thank you so very much for the prayers. They mean more than you know. God bless you, Linda ♥️🤗
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such a great reminder to trust. God knows everything, I basically know nothing. Crazily I too often trust me over God. ❤️
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Yes! I agree. I know nothing, and yet at times I think I no better than He does. Learning to trust God is not easy, but little by little He helps us. What a gift He is to us! ♥️
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Great truths!!
I loved reading The Hiding Place. In fact, I was very moved by the faith that was shown by Betsie, she set such a wonderful example for Corrie to witness. I pray I am doing the same for others who were watching.
So thankful God is over and above all things even if it doesn’t look like we want it to. He is in control and His plans are good. ❤️ Have a blessed week, Bridget!
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Such a good point about setting an example to those around us. In different things I read or heard recently, I have seen a recurring theme of looking for opportunities to share the light of Jesus. I pray we all can find ways to share His love.
And I agree. What a comfort it brings to know that God holds us all in His hands. And even circumstances that we don’t like can be used for His glory.
I hope you have a blessed week too, my friend ♥️
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I look forward to the time when we will be with our loved ones forever. Never having to shed a tear because we lost a loved one in death. The passage Revelation 21:4 gives me so much comfort.
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Amen and amen! What a glorious day that will be!
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