“I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17

Make a lamp from a broken table, create a roof out of plastic bottles, shape a Thai coconut into a plant holder…  all projects that fall under the umbrella of upcycling.  Upcycling is taking unwanted or wasted materials and converting them into a useful, beneficial product.  I confess to catching a bit of the fever.  I’ve turned thrift shop t-shirts into trendy scarves and old crates into an eye-pleasing display shelf.  It was in the middle of a Pinterest scavenger hunt that the Lord began to speak to me about His version of upcycling.

He reminded me of a conversation I had been having with a friend earlier that day.  We had been talking about life’s ups and downs.  She had stated that one of her family’s mantras is “No wasted pain.”  As soon as that phrase left her lips, it took root in my heart.  We ALL have endured painful circumstances!  No one is exempt. How can it be used… upcycled to become something purposeful?

Painful experiences can reduce us to broken, useless vessels. They can cause us to reuse past experiences as excuses to stay in a broken state. Or past pain can be upcycled and used to benefit others!  You see, my friend, as children of the King, we are more than survivors… we are thrivers!  We can take the painful blows we’ve been dealt and lay them at the feet of our Savior!  As we walk humbly before Him, seek forgiveness and healing, as we trust His work in our lives…  we build a testimony!  Step by step, we move forward into healing and victory!  Then, the “WOW” factor is when we begin to share the witness of how God brought us that healing, restoration, provision, and vision in spite of our painful circumstance!  When we submit ourselves (all the mistakes, hurt, betrayal, anger, & fear) to Him and His ways, He upcycles this “junk” and creates a work of art… a Testimony of His goodness and mercy!

Declaration:
Lord, I don’t want to waste the pain I’ve had to walk through!  Help me to stay close to Your heart, listening, obeying, healing, so that this struggle can be upcycled for Your Kingdom and glory!  Thank You that You love me and are a Faithful Father!

Dig Deeper: Mark 5:25-34, Genesis 50:20, Revelation 12:11

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Live Loved,