Romans 8:28 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
I grew up in a family that I consider a very different one from everyone else’s. I didn’t understand so much of what family actually means or what a healthy relationship is because I was raised in a violent, hurtful, and broken environment.
As early as 6 years old, I remember pieces of memories of shattered things, hurtful words, crying, and shouting. And as I grew up, I thought, “Ito siguro ang norm”. I myself eventually became broken as well and felt empty in my own household. Our whole family lived in this world not knowing who the Lord is. Is He true? Is He just fictional? Totoo ba ang heaven?
Little did I know, the Lord was already working in my heart and walking with me all those times. He had planted curiosity and allowed emptiness in my heart so that He could enter mine. It was all planned and written, just before I was born.
It was the year 2012 when I first met Jesus. But I didn’t actually know that I had already met him at that time. I was enrolled in a Christ-following church in my 4th year of highschool. Back then, I became more curious about God and started to willingly attend the events of Christian churches. However, since no one else in my family was doing that, I had no one to look up to regarding my spiritual journey, leaving me to ask myself, “Bakit ko ito ginagawa? What am I gaining from doing this? Is this actually worth my time?” As the Lord worked in my heart, the enemy was present as well.
I stumbled for so long. I lived a double life thinking, “What would be the difference if I faithfully follow the Lord? Will this fix my family’s situation? I’ll keep doing what I want while I attend church services”. In my mind at that time, it was clear that it was impossible that everyone in my family would receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I thought “All of them are too prideful and broken to do that”.
But in the year 2020, when I decided to be more diligent in walking with the Lord, intentionally seeking Him and serving Him while I recognized my own brokenness, I also began to share God’s word with my family. Still it took time; my family refused to follow Jesus, and violence kept happening in our household. Soon, I started doubting the Lord and questioning Him, “Can the Lord really restore my family?”
In July 2023, during my father’s birthday, the Holy Spirit urged me to invite them to church. I was hesitant at first because I was still hurt from everything that happened in our house. But I knew I had to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit, doing it for Jesus. So I invited them to go to the church with me, all the while praying, “Lord, I’m doing my part, I surrender the rest of what will happen to you”.
They humbly accepted my invitation, and we all attended the Sunday service — not only my parents, but also my relatives on my father’s side, most of whom were actually hungry for the Lord. Praise God for that!
Indeed, there are things in our life that we may not know the reason as to why they are happening, but during these hurtful and doubt-filled moments, let us remember that God is still sovereign and that He works for the good of those who faithfully love Him.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 NIV
All glory to God. In His highest mighty Name, I am still amazed.
What a truly great God we have!
REFLECTION
The Lord whom we worship is fully in control and is a promise-keeper. His desire is for us to experience life in abundance. So when life brings us so much pain and brokenness, remember that we are never too broken to experience God’s restoration.
PRAYER
Lord, our waymaker and promise keeper, thank you for still being faithful regardless of how much we doubt in you; for not abandoning us, and for pursuing us patiently.
We pray that you continue to work in the hearts of our families and the people around us and bring healing and restoration to broken relationships. May we always chase Christlikeness despite experiencing hurts from this world. This life we have, we completely surrender and offer to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.