Do All Things Really Work Together for Good?
I’m sure you’ve heard of Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I don’t question the veracity of this promise when things are going pretty good, but when seemingly all things go south that’s when I wonder, “All things? For the good? You gotta be kidding me, right?”
Now, I’ve lived a pretty easy life by any measure you might want to use. I was never physically abused. I never went hungry (except when I’m fasting, but that’s my own fault). I don’t have major health problem. I can’t even say I have minor health problems. Always had a roof over my head (except that one time I went camping where I only had a tent over my head, but once again I chose to do that to myself). I’ve never used drugs. I’ve only had a sip or two of alcohol in my life. So I never had substance abuse issues and the fallout from that.
But recently, something upsetting happened and it wasn’t my fault. Someone lied to someone else about me and that person chewed me out publicly. I tried to explain to him that he didn’t have his facts straight, but because he was so mad he couldn’t hear anything I said. (By the way, there is no reason to talk logic to an angry person. Their emotions will cloud their hearing.) I had never been yelled out like this. It was not a good feeling. It bothered me a lot during the day and even at night. It hampered my appetite and sense of well-being.
But there were some things that helped me recalibrate and I’d like to share them with you.
1) Understand that if you love God, everything bad that happens to you somehow works out for your good.
I can’t connect all the dots for you. Sometimes you may see how it turns out for your good, but sometimes you may never see the connected dots. But if the Bible is true, then this promise is yours. You can take it to the bank. This is so freeing because that means that only goodness will follow you all the days of your life as you love the Lord. How cool is that?
2) Be thankful.
I know what you’re thinking. You’re crazy! How can I be thankful? Whatever situation you’re in, chances are 95% of the world will be happy to switch places with you. Let’s say, you made a bad investment and now you’re gonna have to “sell the farm” to pay for your expenses. Suck, right? Yeah, that suck! But you know what? There are people in this world who go hungry every day who would happily trade places with you… in a heartbeat.
3) Be glad it happened to you.
OK. This is another crazy thought. One of my friends who found out about this guy chewing me out told me, “Well, if him chewing you out meant one less bruise on his wife or one less tongue-lashing at his kids you would have done them a favor unknowingly.” Yeah, I can see what he meant. I’ve heard that Super Bowl Sunday is the day more domestic violence happens than any other. I guess, when if someone is really into his football team and they lose, unfortunately, this douchebag might take his anger out at his wife or girlfriend. By that same token, I would rather be a punching bag for this guy than letting his wife/kids getting the brunt of things. By the way, I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy is a domestic abuser. I feel sorry for his family.
4) Whether you know it or not at the moment what happened to you may close some doors, but it opens others.
You might not see the open doors right away, but they’re there. One of my friends named Allison was raped as a young girl. It was traumatizing for her, but that experience later led her to learn self-defense (both martial arts and guns), build up her confidence, and now she’s teaching so many women self-defense. That’s what I mean by open doors. She is such an inspiration to so many. I’m proud of her that she did something positive with her bad experience.
5) Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen to you? And accept it!
Obviously, for many days I was afraid I might accidentally see this guy who blew up at me and I was afraid he’d do it again. That gave me some anxiety because I’m not the thick-skinned person. I pretend that I’m thick-skinned, but I’m really soft-hearted. But then I asked myself, “What’s the worst thing this guy can do to me?” Well, the worst thing he can do is murder me, of course. But if I die, it’s not because I did anything wrong or stupid. If I die, it obviously means the Lord wants to take me home. If he didn’t want to take me home quite yet, nothing can touch me. In other words, I have the Lord’s full protection. So I will trust my life in His hands. I am the Lord’s servant.
It reminds me of Mary’s wish when she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it happen as you have said.” That’s Luke 1:38. You can imagine the possible shame and ridicule she must have faced. People likely erroneously concluded that she must have been sleeping around since it wasn’t Joseph’s. They might have talked behind her back, but loud enough that she can hear them talking. Imagine the stress she must have felt knowing that others may accuse her of wrong when she did nothing wrong.
6) Whether you know it or not God is using what you’re going through to make you more like Him.
Romans 8:29, which comes right after Romans 8:28 says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Let’s say in your situation, someone sinned against you. Well, perhaps God is using that to mold you into a forgiving person. You get the idea. Character is built during the storms of life.
So when bad things happen to you I hope these points will serve you and help you quickly recalibrate so “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. That’s Philippians 4:6.