Redeem the Situation

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. – Genesis 50:20

In the movie, Count of Monte Cristo, there is prison scene where Edmund Dantes is talking to the old Priest about their prison escape plans when the Priest says, “Neglect is your Ally”. His reference was to the fact only twice each day did the guards come around: breakfast and dinner. The rest of the time the prisoners were left to themselves to do whatever they wanted. In this case what the Priest and, eventually Dantes, wanted was to dig a tunnel to freedom.

As I thought about this scenario it resinated with me about times in our lives when life doesn’t go as planned. Perhaps you didn’t get the promotion you were hoping for or your hard work seems to be continually overlooked. Maybe you are lonely whether you are single or in a relationship. You might even be waiting for a prodigal to return, an addict to choose change or a loved one to forgive.

The enemy desires that in those hard times and disappointments we would turn from God, but we can choose to redeem those situations by using that time to draw closer to God. Redeem means to buy back or recover. Our thoughts, hearts, and actions in those situations are up for grabs. The enemy wants to imprison us with them and the Lord wants to redeem us through them.

Those situations have the potential to build godly character in us and increase our faith. In the disappointments, God is there. In the waiting, God is there. In the loneliness, God is there.

When we choose to turn the situation over to God and trust in Him we are set free. Free from negative thoughts. Free from resentment. Free from discouragement. Free to experience what God has for us in and through them.

In the movie, Edmund Dantes was wrongly imprisoned in the Cheatau d’lf. Don’t let yourself be imprisoned by unforgiveness, resentment and discouragement. Redeem the situation and experience the freedom that awaits.