God works for our good.

I don’t know a ton of people. I have a little over 100 friends on Facebook and 19 contacts in my phone. I can run errands without ever running into someone I know.

Recently, I was thinking about those that I do know and what they are going through. There is one person recovering from breast cancer, one from an iliac aneurism and subsequent strokes. One has relocated, another is putting their marriage back together after an affair. Another is raising her 2 sons alone. Another recently lost their spouse.

In all of these cases the question can be asked what good can possible come from this? We are told in Romans 8:28 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. But is what we believe to be good the same as what God considers good?

We often think of good as a lot of money, success, health, popularity. A life without struggle, or pain. A life where joy outweighs the sorrow. But God says that this is not what good constitutes. Good in God’s economy is the development of character, the further reliance on God and the surrender of self.

In light of that what  good comes from our trials? Our characters are strengthened. We gain compassion and understanding of others. We learn that sometimes our physical discomfort brings spiritual comfort that only God can provide.  In our weaknesses we learn what real strength looks like. We become more sympathetic to those going through similar circumstances. We can act as guides to those who are beginning the journey we have just traveled.

We may, like some of the people I know, be going through a very difficult trial. We may just be dealing with ordinary life stresses. But we can be sure that in midst of our situation  God is working everything out for our good.