God works everything for our good.
Really? Everything?
Bad things? Evil? Accidents? Sicknesses? Pain? Deaths? Divorce? Our own failures?
Everything!
It’s easy most of the time to believe this. I can generally push through and know that – somehow in some way – God weaves it all together for my good if I will just keep on loving Him and trusting Him.
But there are those times when there seems to be no way. That is when I have to go back and re-read not only Romans 8:28, but 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:4-8:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Notice Paul does not say to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. And Paul says that God works in all things for our good.
So – rejoice in the Lord always (it’s a command). I will say it again: Rejoice! … Do not be anxious about anything (another command!), but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (pause and ponder the thanksgiving part), present your requests to God. And the peace that transcends all understanding (you’ll never be able to figure it out) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-8).
Amen!