And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

This verse has been on my mind quite a bit lately. A few weeks ago I experienced something not so pleasant, and rather than focusing on the circumstance I asked the Lord to bring to my mind a verse to help me deal. All things work together for good to those who love God immediately showed up in my head.

First, let me just say that I loooove when God answers a pray so quickly and in such an obvious way. Don’t you? But honestly, this wasn’t quite the type of scripture I thought I needed.

I began to repeat the verse to myself but I didn’t quite get it. I wanted a verse that would silence the source of my unpleasant feelings. I wanted a verse that would empower me to stand up to the injustice I believed I was facing. I wanted a verse that would rebuke the enemy and his attack. This verse didn’t seem to fit the bill.

Later in the week as my family and I continued to deal with crummy situation after crummy situation, all of which seemed to stem from the original unpleasantness, Romans 8:28 kept coming to my mind. I didn’t get it.

“Really, God? All this bad stuff is for our good.”

All things work together for good to those who love God.

“Lord, I believe Your word but I don’t understand.”

All things.

“I need more, Father! Let me see what I’m not seeing!”

All.

And it was then, when He directed my attention to that one little word, that I finally understood what I had been missing.  

All.

Every single detail, whether seemingly significant or not; every circumstance I face, whether pleasant or painful; all things — the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly — they work together for my good. God uses them all to mold me into who I am becoming. He uses them all to build my character, to shape my beliefs, and to strengthen my dependency on Him.

And this is a good thing. I want Him building, shaping and strengthening me to be the woman He has called me to be. I want to be a woman who is called according to His purposes — whatever those purposes may be! And if it takes pain, discomfort and unpleasant things to get me there, I’ll take them.

Dear friends, I don’t know what kind of things you are facing today. But please be assured that if you love God, He is using all things for your good too. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. Trust Him. Expect good things from Him. Embrace what life brings your way and let God build, shape, and strengthen you into who He has called you to be.

Only by grace,

Kelli