Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. Learn more.

God can use even the stinky, yucky garbage of life. God isn't wasteful. He will use everything to teach us and make us stronger.

Have you ever spent time around a garbage can? It’s gross because it’s full of the stuff we don’t want. Our lives can sometimes feel like that.

Sometimes Life Is Like a Garbage Can

Stinky. Ugly. Garbage-y. Sometimes life gets like that. Your best friend moves away. A family member gets sick. Your dog dies. Bad stuff happens in life. Don’t go looking for it. But just be ready – sometimes it comes to you.

God Is Still There, Even in the Garbage

When bad stuff happens, it’s easy to complain to God about it. It’s OK to pray and tell God that you’re sad or scared. But just remember: God is still in charge. And he’s still good. And he still cares about you, even though you might wonder why he doesn’t fix everything.

God Will Make Something Good Out of Our Garbage

God doesn’t waste anything. He uses everything in our lives to make us better. He blesses us with the good stuff that makes us smile and laugh, like making the team or getting to go on that great vacation. And he uses the garbage-y stuff for good purposes, too. Like, making our faith stronger by trusting in God.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

When hard stuff happens, don’t waste the opportunity to learn and grow. You can still thank God for his faithfulness and trust that he will see you through. Either way, you are keeping your focus on God.

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Key Points:

  • Sometimes life is like a garbage can. Bad stuff happens in life. Don’t go looking for it. But just be ready – sometimes it comes to you.
  • God is still there, even in the garbage. Just remember: God is still in charge. 
  • God will make something good out of our garbage. God doesn’t waste anything. He uses everything in our lives to make us better.

Memory Verse:

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

See Also: God, Trials

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Make a list of stuff you throw in the garbage. Why do you throw them away? What are some things you could reuse instead of throwing away?
  3. What has God taught your family through the garbage in your life?
  4. Give an example of how God can use a bad thing and somehow make it good?
  5. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What should we do when we’re faced with something hard? Why do you think Paul adds that we should be thankful? What do we receive when we rely on God?
  6. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?