ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD – Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. It is important to understand that God is in control and that HE has a plan. If you see good things occur to evil men, “Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.” (Proverbs 24:18-19). When you see good things happen to wicked men, you need to understand that they will be punished for eternity. Furthermore, even though it appears they are prospering, you do not know what is going on in their soul and they could be very miserable.
It is not your job to judge others. Instead, it is your job to trust God and walk according to HIS purposes for your life. If you learn to trust God, then regardless of what is going on around you, you can have a cheerful attitude as you see how God turns the lemons in your life into lemonade. It is not always easy to trust God when it seems like your world is caving in around you. It is not always easy to be thankful to God when bad things occur in your life. Nonetheless, you must learn to thank God for HIS goodness. You must learn to trust HIM that HE has your best interest in mind when HE has allowed bad things to occur to you.
You must learn to realize that while it appears to be something bad, in the long run, with God in control, it works out for the best. Think of an eight-year-old girl who wants to go out and play with her friends. However, her mother insists that she stay and practice the piano. The girl tries to argue with her mom that all of her friends do not have to practice the piano and that they are right now all together having fun. Her mom insists that she continue to practice and get better at the piano. From the girl’s perspective, a bad thing has occurred in her life because she wants to be playing with her friends but her mom is insisting that she practice the piano. However, from an impartial by-standards perspective, they can easily see the wisdom of ensuring that the girl gets her practice in every day. Ten years from now when the young lady is accomplished on the piano, she will understand why it was important to go through the drudgery of daily practice.
How many tears were shed when Jesus was crucified on the cross? Jesus’ death on the cross was such a terrible event. Yet nonetheless, it was necessary so that you and I might have fellowship with the Father once again. Because Jesus trusted in God, and HE did not take matters into HIS own hands by refusing to allow evil to happen to HIM, God was able to take the bad and turn it into HIS greater good. Throughout scripture, you will find many stories of bad things occurring to others and how God turned them into good in HIS perfect timing.
Stop looking at what is going on to you today. Instead, start trusting in God. Allow God to be God and trust HIM to work all things for good. As you change your perspective of life and start putting on the mind of Christ, you will be free to hear from God and follow HIS direction for you. By changing your perspective and not worrying about your present, God’s grace will be upon you and you will be able to do great things for HIM. By adding virtue to your faith, God’s grace will be magnified in your life.