“It All Works Out”

By: Tyra Rains

When I was 15, I lived in Nebraska. I had lived in seven different houses by then. I didn’t really like the house we were living in at the time, but I had finally adjusted to living in the same town for more than two years. My family had started going to church, and my friendships seemed better. That summer, the summer of 1988, I spent a good portion of the summer at a youth and kids camp in Lexington, Nebraska. I had a good summer. And then I went home. When I got home, I found my house completely packed up. We were headed for house number eight. That wouldn’t have been a big deal, but house number eight was in Oklahoma. I can remember being devastated. I freaked out. I did not want to move. I was mad. I rebelled. I cried all of the way to Oklahoma. I rode there in the back of a pickup with a camper shell. I can remember being so angry at my parents for taking me away from the people I loved. What I didn’t know at the time was that this move would forever change my life.

God is always writing a story under our story. 

We think it’s in the background of our lives. But it’s not. His story is the plan for our lives. His story is what wins in the end. I thought I was better off in Nebraska. Instead, He moved me into a house that was right around the corner from my future husband. Proverbs says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purposes that prevails.” In all of my years, I have learned one major lesson in life: Things work out. 

We get so worried. We think about every “what if” that could possibly happen in the negative way. We play out all of the wrong scenarios. I would say it’s just human nature, but I don’t think that’s true. I believe we are created in the image and likeness of God, which means we are created to believe. To trust in Him. To have hope. We are not to be controlled by our situations or circumstances. 

This is why all throughout the Bible, God tells us to take our thoughts captive, to think on certain good and true things. He tells us not to worry, but to trust in Him.

Recently I’ve been changing the way I think about every situation. I have turned my “what if’s” around. Typically all of our “what if’s” are rooted in fear and worry. They ask us the worse case scenarios. But what if we turned that around? What if we focused on the best scenario? What if we trusted in a Heavenly Father that said He would never leave us or forsake us. He knows the plans He has for us, and they are good plans. Let’s remember how His word says, “In all of my days, I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken.” What if we actually put all of our cares in his hands? 

We could say things like:
What if my happily ever after is for me?
What if my house gets paid off?
What if I find the person of my dreams?
What if I have amazing friendships?
What if I get the promotion?
What if all of my family starts to get along?
What if I live a long, full and healthy life?
What if my kids turn out great?
What if that certain situation turns around for the better?

The book of Psalms tells us that everything the godly person does, turns out well. I’ve just decided that if the Bible says it, then it’s true. I’m going to believe it.

When my husband, kids and I first moved to Pryor, there was a house I wanted on Big Bluff Road. I prayed for that house. We didn’t get it. Instead, we ended up moving into a much nicer home closer to our church. It was perfect for what we needed at the time. I later found out the original house I wanted was full of black mold, and the chimney had separated from the house. 

God has a way of making the crooked path straight. There is no need to worry. When we truly put things in His hands it will work out in the best way possible. When we try to control it or tell God what to do or even worse, when we try to be God, we find ourselves worried. This is where a lot of anxiety comes from, when we don’t genuinely give things to God.

As you’re reading this. Whatever your situation is, take a deep breath. breathe out and whisper, “God, I give this situation to you.” Then tell Him whatever it is. He will take care of it. He is faithful. He is trustworthy. 

My move to Oklahoma was the best thing that could have happened. It just “worked out” that we moved into the house around the corner from the boy that would become my forever love and life-long friend. I married that boy. Meeting my husband when I did was the perfect time. God knew what He was doing. My love for God grew in Oklahoma. My friendships were deeper. I love this state. Oklahoma has my heart forever. God is smart. I will cast my cares on Him, because He truly cares for me.

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