You have trials in your life and I do too. These trials could be health problems or financial problems or loss of a loved one or problems with our relationships with other people. On and on the list might grow of different trials in life. Although we could be discouraged, as Christians we have something to look forward to; we have the promise of eternal life and a rest from earth’s trials. But for now, we are here on earth dealing with our trials. Romans 8:23 “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” Even though we groan with our trials, we eagerly wait for our final redemption. Romans 8:24-25 “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” We have hope which is an assurance that eternal life awaits us. Because of our hope, we endure our trials with perseverance.
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” In our trials, we need help. We might not even know what to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with God to help us.
Sometimes when trials come upon us, we need assurance that God is in control and that it will all work out. We don’t know why we are going through these trials. But we are told that God is for us. Romans 8:31-32 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Peter tells us that God cares for us. 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I believe it is important to understand that God is on our side.
Here is one more assurance from scripture. Romans 8:28 “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.” In all of the trials and all of the challenges that we face, we are promised that God will work them together for good. While we do not know the future or what is best for us, God knows. He sees the big picture. He understands. He has the power. It requires faith on our part that His promise is true so that we can accept what comes, and that we trust in Him.
This verse does not say that only good things happen to Christians. All kinds of things happen to Christians, and some of them are bad. In the Bible we find that Steven was stoned to death. The Apostle Paul tells us that he was beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, and spent a night in the deep, among other bad things (2 Corinthians 11). No. Bad things do happen to Christians.
What the verse says is that things work together for good. I believe it is saying that God can take anything that happens to us and work it for our good. We need to see that the good is usually spiritual good and not physical. We can be spiritually better off after things happen in our lives, but we will not necessarily be better off physically. Also, we are better for eternity and not necessarily better in this life. Let me explain.
We are told that we should glory in our problems. Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” When tribulations or troubles come into our lives, if we take them correctly, they can bring perseverance and develop our character; we can develop the characteristics that God wants us to have. If our eyes are only on our physical, earthly existence, then tribulations may bring great stress and heartache to us. But if we see the spiritual benefit of tribulations, we can glory in them because then we can see how God works in our lives. This requires our faith and trust in Him.
The story of Joseph is an excellent example of bad things happening to someone and God choosing to work the things for good. Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold as a slave. He was lied about and thrown into prison. He was forgotten in prison. Everything seemed to be going against Joseph. It had been thirteen years since he was sold as a slave. But then Pharaoh had dreams that Joseph was able to interpret and as a result Joseph was released from prison and he was set over all the land of Egypt. Eventually Joseph’s brothers and father were brought to Egypt and they were rescued from the famine. His brothers thought that Joseph might take revenge upon them. Genesis 50:19-20 “Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.’” When Joseph was in the midst of his trials, he didn’t know what would happen in the future. But God had a plan for him. God made all things work together for good for Joseph and his family.
We need to look beyond this earthly life. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Our problems may see very weighty. But relative to the great benefits of our eternal existence with God, they are light. This requires our faith and trust in God.
In spite of the trials that come in your life, have faith in God. Trust Him that He will work all things in your life for good. He is on your side.