All Things Work Together for Good - Romans 8:28

Not everything that comes into our lives can be classified as good. The Apostle Paul did not say that all things are good. But, if we really believe this passage of Scripture, then we have to acknowledge that all things—the good, the bad, the sunshine, and the rain—are somehow working together by God's design for our ultimate well-being.

All Things Work Together

The “good” Paul spoke of is not always what we think is best. The next verse explains:

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son ..." (Romans 8:29).

The "good" God wants to produce in us is conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. If we keep this in mind, it's easier to understand how our trials and difficulties are all part of God’s plan. The Lord desires to change us from what we are by nature to what he intends us to be.

We know that by his nature God is wholly good (Genesis 1; Lamentations 3:25; 1 Timothy 4:4; Mark 10:18). All of God's works and actions are expressions of his goodness and are designed to benefit his people. Even more, the "good" which is the goal of all his providential dealings with us is our ultimate well-being, namely our salvation.

The prospect of suffering is never pleasant. But armed with an attitude that faces life knowing whatever happens to us rests in the sovereign hand of God, we can be confident that God will never desert us. He will always be with us, working out his good purpose in every circumstance.

When we look back on the trials and difficult struggles that seemed far from good at the time, we can begin to see in hindsight how they were working for our benefit. We understand now why God allowed us to go through the fiery trials of the past.

If we could live out our lives in reverse order, this particular verse would be so much easier to grasp.

God's Plan Is for Our Good

"In one thousand trials it is not five hundred of them that work for the believer’s good, but nine hundred and ninety-nine of them, and one beside." --George Mueller

For good reason, Romans 8:28 is a favorite verse of many. In fact, some consider this to be the greatest verse in the entire Bible. If we take it at face value, it tells us that nothing happens outside of God’s plan for our good. That's a tremendous promise to stand on when life doesn't feel so good. That's a solid hope to hold on to through the storm.

Of suffering and adversity, the great "Prince of Preachers" Charles Spurgeon said, “Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them.”

Our life in Christ is based on God’s good purposes, and that includes suffering:

"For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." 2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV)

We share in these sufferings because we share Christ and because we live in a fallen world ruled at the present time by evil forces that are opposed to God and his purposes.

God doesn't allow disaster or permit evil randomly. Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic after a skiing accident, said, "God permits what He hates to achieve what He loves."

Are you perplexed, frustrated, or maybe even devastated over events or things that have happened to you? Your life may seem like an unsolved puzzle, but God knows where every piece fits into his good plan. Maybe you've been trying to take your situation out of God’s hand and work it into your own design. God is the Master artist who composed the picture of your life, and he will complete it if you let him.

You can trust that God never makes mistakes or lets anything slip through the cracks—even when calamity and heartache strike. God loves you. He has the power to do what you never dreamed possible. He is bringing about a wonderful plan for your life. He is working everything—yes, even that!—for your good.