The word “but” is a very powerful, and often negatively used, word. How many times you heard phrases that sounded great, but contained a “but” that negated the rest of the positive? Examples: “You’re really nice, but I don’t like you that way.” “You’ve got a great resume, but we’re not interested at this time.” “We do allow returns/exchanges, but not on what you purchased.” “Your health is looking good, but I want to run some additional tests because I may have found something.” You may feel like you get purposely built up a little, just to get taken down that much further. Now, all that matters is the phrase that followed the “but” as the beginning of the sentence no longer matters.

In contrast, one of the most powerful positive phrases in the Bible is “but God.” Rather than a small positive statement followed by a “but” that nullifies it, God shows us a problem or issue and then how He is the answer for it. Let’s take a look at just a few of these references.

Due to jealousy and hatred, Joseph’s brothers planned on killing him. However, they ended up selling him into slavery instead, a fate often worse than death. Many years later, the brothers ask forgiveness and fear for their lives. “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭19‬-‭20‬) The brothers intended evil, but God was working through the terrible situation to provide a way for all of Israel to survive.

We were born enemies of God who choose our own way instead of his way. Consequently, we earned death. Not just physical death, but separation from God (along with his qualities of love, peace, truth, light, etc.). “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬) To get eternal life though, someone else would need to take our place. Who would be willing to sacrifice their own life for us? “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬) We were lost forever, but God made a way to be eternally saved from sin.

Meanwhile, Christ didn’t stay dead. He was tried, crucified and buried, fulfilling the Scriptures. Things were looking pretty bleak and if the story were to stop there, the way of salvation wouldn’t be complete. “But God raised him from the dead,” (Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭30) Jesus came back, appeared to many and then returned to heaven to prepare a place for us and to await his return.

As Christians, it’s easy to look at the ministry of others and get jealous or nit picky. In the early church, there were arguments and dissension over which early church leader to follow. Paul had to explain that they all had their roles to play in God’s plans. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭7‬) We need to focus on what God wants, not on what someone else is doing. That way He can provide the growth. After all, there’s nothing particularly amazing about you apart from God. The world would pick more brilliant people than us to spread good news. “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬-‭29‬) We are tools in the master’s hands.

There will be times when we are weak and feel that we can’t go on. We may feel caught in a battle with nowhere to turn and no way out. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭26‬) God is eternal and omniscient and loving. Who better to turn to when we feel all hope is gone?

Even when we fall into temptation (or go charging into it full speed ahead), we know that, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13) God is faithful to provide for us even when we’re focusing on being unfaithful.

There are many, many more times the Bible contains “but God” and each of them hold a valuable truth about the nature of God. Do a word search of the Bible to see how many times there is a loss, but God provides. Fear and discomfort, but God gives peace. Enemies all around, but God is a shield and fights for you. The more I read “but God,” the more I see his handiwork throughout history and my life. Things might look tough, but God will provide. I don’t know where to go, but God will lead me in his paths. I’m stuck in on a carousel of sin, but God forgives. The next time you are facing a negative situation, you can know that there’s a “but God” waiting to shine through.