This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. —Matthew 18:1-25
It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of fear and hopelessness.
Resilient people don’t have easier lives; but they’ve learned to reinterpret their struggles. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, they ask, “What did I learn from this?” and “How did this make me stronger?” —Richard Wiseman (paraphrased), “59 Seconds”
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. —James 1:2-4
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. —Matthew 1:20
What looks like shame and confusion is actually part of something big that God is doing. God’s going to redeem the world, and He asks Joseph to trust Him in a moment when trust doesn’t come easily.
Joseph’s faithfulness shifts the narrative from fear to faith, from confusion to purpose. That’s the power of trusting God.
Even when life feels broken, God can use it to create something meaningful.
Redemption often comes in the most unexpected ways.
God is in the REDEMPTION business. He works through our messes to bring something beautiful.
THINK ABOUT IT
When you look back over your story, what parts feel broken, confusing, or even shameful?
What if the broken moments aren’t the end of the story? What if they’re the very moments God wants to use to bring something new to life in you?
3 Steps for Inviting God to Redeem the Mess:
Step 1: PRAYERFULLY REFLECT on the situation
Step 2: REFRAME your PRESPECTIVE.
Step 3: TAKE A STEP FORWARD in faith.
With God, no pain is final and no failure is wasted.
WILL YOU OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS TODAY?
Think about what could happen if you responded to God’s invitation today. Imagine your life if you truly believed that no part of your story—even the messy or painful parts—is wasted. What if today was the day you stepped into the kind of faith that lets God take your brokenness and turn it into something beautiful? What if today, like Joseph, you decided to trust God with the most uncertain parts of your life?
So how do you respond? It starts with opening your heart to Jesus. Whether this is your first time or the hundredth, it’s about surrender. It’s about inviting God into your story and saying, “Lord, I trust You with my life—all of it.” If you’ve never taken that step before, we want to give you the opportunity to do that right now. It’s as simple as a prayer:
Lord Jesus, I need You. I admit that I’ve tried to do life on my own, and I’ve fallen short. I’m tired of carrying the weight of my struggles alone. I believe that You died and rose again to give me new life. Today, I surrender my heart to You. Come into my life, forgive my sins, and make me new. I choose to trust You with my story. Amen.