One of my favorite verses is one I often quote from the pulpit, and it is found in Romans 8.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according
to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 CSB
This verse is very encouraging, and it is easy to cling to in theory. When everything is simply thought rather than practice or application it is easy to hold on to and accept. However, when life is not good and things are going horribly, putting this verse into practice becomes very difficult.
I have to confess that I often find myself looking at a frustrating situation or a difficult time in life and complaining or griping. I may not say it out loud, no one else may know just how frustrated I am but I nevertheless am frustrated and want to complain to God. “Why is this happening?”, “I don’t need this right now!” The list can get rather lengthy, and the griping can go on ad nauseam.
However, if I know this verse to be true (and I do know it is true) then I should be able to look at my situation through the lens of this promise. When things go off the rails I need to reorient my thinking with God’s Word.
After all, that is what Paul tells us in Romans 12.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you
may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 NASB
Are you letting scripture transform your mind? I admit, it is not easy and I return to default mode too easily. That is why I must make a priority of being in God’s Word every single day. I must let His Word transform my thinking if I am going to see
things the way He wants me to. My thinking leads to stinking thinking, but God’s thinking leads to seeing the hard times through the lens of Him working out what needs to be done in my life. His work is growing me in Him and growing my faith. I can trust that He really does have my best interests in mind and so can you.
Dan