A different kind of testimony

Most times our testimonies as children of God follow a set pattern:

I just want to testify that God is so good because He  <insert answer to prayer/some situation where God has blessed you>

But recently I was having a discussion with some Christian brothers and sisters that highlighted the danger of this sort of thinking/speaking. Do we only recognise God's goodness when we receive His blessings? Do we only praise Him when He has 'come through' for us?

Recently I lost one of my friends from church, Don Juan Acosta. He had been on dialysis for a couple years, but I was not expecting him to die so soon. Whenever I met him after church, there would always be a smile on his face, and a genuine, "how are you doing?" - you knew that he really wanted to hear the answer to that question and he was not just asking it out of politeness. He had a passion for children's ministry, and was always making people laugh with his stale jokes.

When I got the message that he was dangerously ill, naturally I prayed for a miracle. I thought it would be such an awesome testimony if God healed him - he would be able to continue his role as husband and father, his various ministries, and many would know beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was because of God's healing hand.

But God did not heal in the way I prayed. There would be no testimony.

Or would there?

Would the fact that his wife and children still trust in God be a testimony?
Would the fact that all those whose lives were impacted by him, coming together to celebrate his life be a testimony?
Would the fact that I was able to get closure without going to his funeral since I am living in another country be a testimony?

I don't have all the answers, but one thing is sure: God continues to be great and awesome and powerful and worthy of our praise, regardless of the outcome of any situation.

Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose"
God never promised to work only through the good things, but He can also work through the bad things, the things that don't make sense and the things that hurt more than words can describe. He is able to use what the enemy meant for evil, and turn it around for good, to accomplish His purposes.

And I can testify to that.