Another lesson from God

Time and time again God always shows me how wrong and unwise I am and how knowing he really is. I'm sure to many of you it is no secret that I had a rough childhood to which I see no need of delving into at this time. I used to frequently complain to God about my childhood and ask why, knowing I wouldn't be satisfied with any answer he gave me. It seemed I was content to complain and feel sorry for myself. I though that I was no longer bitter about it, but at times I found myself angry at my parents for no apparent reason. Recently, however in church and in a chapel service at my school, I realized that even though man meant it for evil, God meant it for good. I'm not saying it was God's will for my parents to behave the way they did, but I realized that they are human and God can work with their mistakes for his glory. God showed me that I can use my experience to help others. I have recently been told about a few people I know and their similar experiences. I learned that I could relate to these people. I know now that God worked with my bad childhood to allow me to be able to aid others who have been through similar experiences. Rather than moping about my experience, I can praise God for the opportunity to be able to relate to others with the same background and aid them in emotional and spiritual healing. Before, I never thought that there may be others who have the same issues, but I realized that it was foolish of me to think that. I was only concerned with "me" and could not see the bigger picture. I now thank God and my pastor (who inadvertently helped me) for showing me this. I hope that I am able to council many people who have gone through my experience, and grow from that myself. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Clearly, God knows what he is doing and sometimes we just need to be still and know that He is God. I think He knows what He is doing.