And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

F.B. Meyer stated: “If any promise of God should fail, the heavens would cloth themselves in sackcloth; the sun, the moon and the stars would reel from their courses; the universe would rock, and a hollow wind would moan through a ruined creation the awful fact that God can lie.”

However, Hebrews 6:18 would strongly refute that claim.

Many of us don’t understand why things happen in our lives. Many have experienced some very negative episodes and have had some extremely hurtful things happen to us, leaving us wondering why would a God who is so just, loving and kind allow such a thing to happen. We must, however, come to understand that God has a divine plan. Our God has a master plan for each of us, but it’s up to us to surrender to his will.

We must be like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he declared “Nevertheless not my will but thine be done.” Or perhaps like the disciples, after an unproductive night of fishing, obeyed the commands of Jesus to cast out into the deep and drop your nets. Their response, “Master, we have toiled all night, but nevertheless we will cast out into the deep.”

As followers of Christ, we embark upon a journey in life not knowing what gains or losses; joys or sorrows; appointments or disappointments are waiting for us. But it is important to know that we can have an assurance in God. The Bible says that he knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows us better than we know ourselves. God knows what it will take to move, stimulate, activate or motivate each of us. And, ultimately he knows what it will take to get us into the place he would have us. Therefore, God allows those unpleasant things (trials, storms) to come into our lives because he is just trying to perfect and direct us (1Peter 5: 10). Sometimes God allows suffering, trouble, and trials for the perfecting of the saints. But, in spite of the varying circumstances, we must still put our complete trust in God. He promised never to leave us nor forsake us. In Psalm 37: 25-26 David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

In the referenced scriptural writings, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the Roman Christians. During the time frame of his writing, Christians were subject to persecution or attack; for the name Christian or to be called a Christian was considered a slander by the non-Christians. However, the early Christians were not offended because it associated and identified them with Christ: the anointed one; the Messiah, the one who died for them, arose for them; exalted for them, and intercedes for them. Therefore, the Apostle Paul was encouraging them as well as us. He wanted them (us) to know that everything that they (we) experience in this life — all the struggles, pain, frustration, heartaches, disappointments and suffering — that all things work together for the good.

These two words, “all things,” in conjunction mean to create and eliminate; place and replace; connect and group; interrelate and intermingle; shape and forge; press and stretch; move and operate; control and guide; arrange and influence. The words also imply present action, which means that all things are continually working together for good. And because of this continuous divine process, we can rest assured God is arranging and rearranging all things in our lives for the good of the whole.

Never forget that our heavenly father has experienced everything that we could possibly experience in life, through his son, Jesus. And he rules all things, made all things, is in control of all things, and is working all things together for our good. No matter the situation, circumstances or status, God is working for our good!

From a personal perspective, when I take a serious and thorough analysis of my own life and think about all the experienced events up until the present time, the good as well as the bad, the bitter and the sweet, I can clearly see how God was working it out and how sometimes “rejection is God’s protection.”

God is able to take your life, with all of its ups and downs, blend it with his grace, add a heaping portion of his love and transform it into a thing of great beauty and blessing for his glory.

“…Be thou faithful unto death and I [He] will give thee a crown of life…”

He knows what’s best for me, though my weary eyes can’t see.

So, I’ll just say thank you, Lord. I won’t complain.

Written by The Rev. Farrell Duncombe who is the pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Montgomery, Alabama.