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.

Does it mean everything that happens to us is good or that God will change what happens to make it into something good? Is it a promise from God that things will get better or become more bearable or result in us getting what we want or where we want to go somehow?

The general agreement online appears to be that Romans 8:28 is a promise that God will use whatever happens to us for our benefit.

Somehow – at some point in time.

And how do we know Romans 8:28 is true anyway?

Because the Bible says so?

There are a lot of people who believe the bible is flawed and nothing but the product of mere mortal men who wrote it so long ago it is hardly relevant in this day and age so how do we know any of the promises made in the bible are real?

We don’t.

That’s where faith comes in.

One of the difficulties that brings people to counselling is a struggle with negative thoughts and beliefs.

For example – they might walk into a room at work and conversation stops for a second before starting up again. They assume people must have been talking about them and they believe what was being said must have been negative or the conversations would not have stopped.

I would ask these clients what evidence they have that this interpretation of the situation is accurate. It is rare for people to have evidence – mostly all they have are fears and suspicions.

I will then suggest one, or more, alternative explanations for what happened.

1. The pause in conversation was a coincidence

2. They are planning a surprise party for you

3. They were saying nice things about you

4. Your appearance distracted them from their conversation – you looked THAT good!

I would then ask them – “When there’s no clear evidence either way, why do you believe what causes you the most distress instead of what could offer hope or comfort?”

If I walk into a room and conversations stops you better believe I’m going to wear that same outfit until it falls off me in rags because I have faith that I looked THAT good!

I also have faith that there IS a God, that the bible is God’s word to me, and that His word can be trusted.

If God says that all things will work together for my good as long as I love Him then I am going to choose to believe that.

What is the alternative?

Most alternatives end up feeding into a cycle of negativity that’s closely linked to the growing rates of depression and anxiety today.