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Betty: I am very grateful that God opened the door. And you might say, “But it’s a horrible thing to go through.” Yeah, but I found a blessing. Remember Romans 8:28. I’d love for you to really take that seriously. And when things are hard, say to the Lord, “Okay, Lord, don’t let me miss the good that you intend to come out of this.” It’s gonna make your life so much easier. 

AM: Yeah. I didn’t dwell on it. I recognized it was there, but moved past it. 

Betty: Well, that’s a blessing that came out of it. X really admires that in you. She often says,  “Oh, AM really has a way of working herself through things.” And you do. See, that’s another blessing that came out of it. Maybe it might help you to sit down some time when you have a chance, and write out all the blessings that have come to you because you have depression. Have you ever thought of doing that? 

AM: I write and that helps people. Because of the depression, I’m not out and about as much, so that’s the benefit.  And I have more compassion, so I can be there for people. 

Betty: Yeah, it has helped you develop compassion for other people. Actually, spend some time and develop that. That might actually not only help you, but it might help other people who have been so depressed that they can’t think of anything good at all that could come from depression. So, write that down as a to do list when you get a chance. Now, if that were me, I might just put a piece of paper on the desk and as different advantages come to me, I’d have it there to write it down. See what kind of a list you develop. And if you do it for the honor and glory of God, then Jesus is going to get special adoration from the fact that you’re doing that. Now, it’ll frustrate Satan, because Satan really doesn’t want you to get any benefits. We’re kind of blowing his whole process. But frankly, there’s this little imp in me. I enjoy giving Satan a jolt by saying, “You didn’t think anything good could come out of this?  Look what God can do!” I’m sure the Lord loves when we do that. Deliberately go and find something good coming out of what Satan intends for our evil  Did it ever dawn on you that maybe the Lord would like to actually set you free from it if you cooperate with him? 

AM: That’d be nice. 

Betty: I would like that. “So Lord, we lift it up to you. We do want your honor and glory. We don’t want to refuse the cross if there is good reason why it has to happen. But on the other hand, Lord, if this is not to your honor and glory, please set AM free. Work a miracle. Let her actually witness your miraculous power in this case. You are stronger than everything Satan intends for our destruction, and if you so will, she could be set free from the depression. But I know Lord that you want her to be able to recognize the blessings that this cross has brought to her. So, please hear what we’re talking about tonight, and set her free.” See, I kind of think he can’t set you free until you find out what good he intended to bring out it. 

AM: Why is it that he can’t set you free until you find the good? 

Betty: Because like everything God does, suffering is only permitted by God to bring about what is good. God cannot do evil for evil’s sake. His nature is such that he can only permit evil if he can bring good out of it.