Romans 8:28 is a text we could chew on for a lifetime: “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.”

It’s a part of a wider passage about living faithfully even in the midst of hardship.

What Paul is NOT saying is that all bad things are good. Some things are clearly bad. What Paul IS saying is that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him—i.e. followers of Jesus.

Here’s an example. When we’re struggling with something, we can often get encouragement from someone who has had a similar battle in their own life. Quite often it’s because they can genuinely sympathize with our situation and offer sincere advice because of their own difficult experience. As a result, we’re more receptive to what they have to say.

Someone told me about a time they were seriously depressed, and a friend was able to offer some great advice and friendship through that dark time. Does that mean depression is good? Of course not. But that first person was able to offer advice, encouragement and friendship to the second because they had gone through something similar. Something good was able to come out of something bad.

Today, my point is this. Love God daily, even when you can’t see through the fog.

Your job isn’t to be an expert about everything or to fix every little thing in people’s lives. Nor is you job to know the reason behind every hardship or to predict the future. Your job is to love God daily, even when you can’t see through the fog. Trust that he is working, and that he can bless us despite what distresses us.

“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.”

By Matthew Ruttan

–This devotional is connected to my most recent sermon: “The problem with religion.” You can watch or listen here.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.