When God Uses Bad For Good

Have you ever wondered how much control God really has over this world? Does He allow evil? Can He use it? And if He can, how does that even work?

When I look around, it often feels like evil wins. It shows up in governments, in war, in corruption, even in my own heart.

But then I remember something I read in Jeremiah. God used the evil king Nebuchadnezzar to discipline Judah and Jerusalem because they had turned their backs on Him.

The people of God had fallen into idolatry, pride, and selfish living. So God allowed Babylon to conquer them. Yet, years later, God judged Babylon for their cruelty and arrogance. He used evil for His plan, and then He dealt with that evil Himself.

“The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases.” (Proverbs 21:1 NCV)

That story tells me something powerful. Nothing and no one, no king, no government, no evil force, moves outside of God’s control.

The theological word for that is sovereignty. It means God rules over everything. He doesn’t cause evil, but He can use it to accomplish His good and perfect plan.

When I think about that, I feel at ease and peaceful. I admit, I don’t understand why things happen as they do, but I know and trust the One who does. That sounds cliché, yet it’s the foundation of faith.

“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28 NCV)

So I suppose the key is right there, love God. He’s the one to follow. He’s the one who knows what He’s doing. When I set my heart on loving Him first, somehow everything else starts to make more sense. It doesn’t make life easy, but it makes it steady and peaceful.

If we jump ahead to the book of Revelation, we see how this all ends. Christ returns, evil is destroyed, Satan is bound, and the King of Kings reigns forever. Every tear is wiped away, and there will be no more pain or suffering. (Revelation 21:4 NCV)

But the truth is, it may get worse before it gets better. The things that happen in the end are pretty horrific. Yet God wins. Jesus rules. And God’s people are secure and saved. That’s the hope we hold on to.

When I remember that, I realize that even when life feels out of control, it’s not. God’s story has already been written. His orchestration is perfect. He uses even the wrong notes to complete His masterpiece.

It reminds me of the Japanese art of kintsugi, the process of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the cracks, they highlight them, turning something shattered into something more beautiful than before.

That’s what God does with our lives. He puts the broken pieces back together with His grace. What was once ruined becomes a picture of redemption.

If you doubt that, look at Jesus’ own crucifixion. It looked like a victory for evil, but it was the moment God used to save the world. The cross—the greatest act of injustice, became the greatest act of love. Jesus took my sin, paid for it with His suffering, and gave me life. He turned the ugliest thing into beauty.

No, we may not understand it all, but we must focus on the main thing: Jesus Christ. Our sin. Our need to be saved. And how Christ paid for our sin. Because of Him, we are forgiven, redeemed, and restored. So now, we will follow Him, love Him, and live as if He truly is our Lord and Savior.

So when I can’t make sense of the chaos, I remind myself that God can use even what the enemy means for harm. He did it then. He does it now. He’ll do it again.

LORD, give me more faith to trust Your plan. Even when evil seems to win, help me remember that You are still conducting every detail. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen ♥️