Good Times Or Bad?
By Joan Walker Hahn
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
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. Romans 8:28 NIV
Everything works for our good? Really?
So many times when this verse is quoted, it is when something bad has happened to a believer.
Does all of the bad things that happen to believers really happen for good?
The times when we are enjoying the presence of our Abba, Father – those are good times. When we are serving God and seeing results of truly trusting and following Him, that’s what I call good.
So why do we have to endure the bad things and then be told to trust that God will use it for our good?
It’s a matter of how we look at the situation. Satan can make bad things look good. Sin can be attractive to our natural bodies. And good things can look bad. Paul said we are to look at things from a spiritual point of view.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 NIV
If we look at the rest of Romans 8, we see where Paul is recognizing that, yes, Christians experience hard things because of the sin that is in the world.
Paul said: your body is subject to death because of sin. (vs. 10)
He said that, we share in His sufferings. (vs. 17)
That we would have times when we, groan inwardly. (vs. 23)
That we will be so burdened, We do not know what we ought to pray for. (vs. 26)
All of that looks so bad, until you look at the resulting truth.
...the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.(vs. 10)
...in order that we may also share in his glory.(vs. 17)
...as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (vs. 23)
...but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (vs. 26)
And the other resulting good things?
We are conformed to the image of Christ. We are predestined, called, justified and glorified. If we belong to God, no one can stand against us; we are more than conquerors; and nothing can ever separate us from the love of God (see verses 29-39)
Now that is what I call good.
When you find yourself questioning God as to why certain things have happened, immerse yourself in His word. We can find encouragement when we read how God is in the midst of those hard things with us.
When we come to look at our troubles as times when we can experience His presence in a more intimate way, we will come to agree that all things, even the hard things, are for our good.
Heavenly Father,
It’s hard sometimes to believe that the hard things I experience will turn out to be good things. Help me to remember that there is nothing that takes You by surprise. You already know the outcome of every situation I will go through. Help me trust that the fulfilling of Your plans for me is more important than for me to have things easy in this life. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus name, Amen.
© 2016 by Joan Walker Hahn. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 08 November 2016.
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