“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28 (ESV) This is one of the most popular encouragement verses in the Bible, and rightly so. This is such a great all-encompassing encouragement for our lives, that no matter what happens God will bring good out of it as we follow him. But it doesn’t mean we will only have good things in our life. A few sentences later Paul comforts believers by saying that things like persecution, famine and sword can not separate us from the love of Jesus. Paul himself experienced many sufferings. So we know that Rom. 8:28 is not saying that believers will only experience good things – famine and death are not good. (Besides, if “all things” mean good things then the verse is saying that good things work together for good, which doesn’t make sense.) But rather that God takes the bad things in our life and makes them work out for good. Trials can produce good for us.
Therefore, when we have trials we can be encouraged if we focus on the good that will come out of it, even if we don’t know what it is yet. The hard part is choosing that kind of focus – but we can do it. What kinds of good can come from trials? James 1:2-4 says that trials produce endurance; in other words, trials make us stronger. Romans 5:3-4 says suffering produces endurance and character. How does character help us? For one thing, II Peter 1:3-11 promises that when we add character to our lives (self-control, godliness, and love) we will have a rich entrance into the kingdom of God! What could be better than that?
What difficulties are you having that you can apply this verse to? Pick some words from the verse that help you and repeat them to yourself throughout the day or week.
This is my favorite—or one of my favorite—verses in the Bible. It has always encouraged me and built my trust. Similar, and expanding on it, is Gen. 50:20: the concept that God uses evil for good. God is holy and righteous. He knows what is best for us, so we can trust him.
Thank you Judith. I’m so glad this was encouraging.