As we build our lives in response to God’s love, there’s so much we can do, like working on what’s invisible rather than what’s visible! One important principle is that we can change the meaning we ascribe to negative experiences — if it’s in God’s Kingdom, it doesn’t always mean what we think it could mean. Consider that the same boiling water that hardens an egg also softens a potato. On the other hand, the same boiling water that softens a potato also hardens eggs. Isn’t that like the Kingdom? To make hard things soft and to make soft things hard? 

For instance, even insults, setbacks, and breakups can be transformed into something positive. It may not mean what you think if it’s in God’s loving care. One of my friends experienced a breakup and was devastated. After a few months, both he and his ex realized they had dodged a bullet because they were not who the other person thought they were. Think of it this way: Some things that appear to be happening to us may actually be happening for us! We should not attribute negativity to experiences God views differently.

Friend, in the Kingdom, robust things will become fragile and fragile things will become robust. There is only one difference between the two: What is inside. So much of life that would break someone else won’t break you because of what’s inside. Accept that you are God’s beloved and live in His loving care. There will be sad and disappointing circumstances, but try not to interpret them negatively. It will be easier for you to make progress in your personal life as a result.