Dear Church,
 
In a world filled with pain and suffering one of the most often quoted scripture is Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)
 
Now, if you read this carefully this verse doesn’t say that God causes everything. God doesn’t cause war, he doesn’t cause rape, abuse, divorce, or evil of any sort.  This verse doesn’t say that everything we go through in life is good. The Bible says that God causes everything to work together for good.  He intertwines together all the good, the bad and the ugly threads of every experience we go through in a broken world into this beautiful tapestry.  Now, is this a promise for everyone?  Certainly not, it’s for “those who love God” and are “called by God according to his purpose”.  A nonbeliever who does not have the presence of God does not have access to this promise.  Those who love the Lord can say, “Here, Lord, I bring you all the broken pieces of my life, you take them all and put them together.”
 
That is why a Christian should be the most optimistic person in the world, this is why we can read the headlines and not worry about it because God is in control, and we can trust him with everything.  God is moving you and me towards his best for us and our best for Him.
 
 
Be encouraged,
Mathews