When Thing Go Awry

What do you do when things go awry?

Do you anxiously await for them to get back on track? Do you freak out on anyone and everyone that comes across your path? Do you throw a fit? Do you remain calm?

There was a time not too long ago when month after month, that seemed to be the story of my life. Things seemed to be going smoothly, but then bam. Another trial. Then another. Each month, I began it with the mindset of "Okay, God.. What have you got for me this month?" It was me anticipating anything and everything bad that could happen, because at that point, it was playing out that way. 

Around the same time, I began seeing Romans 8:28 nearly everywhere I turned. I saw it on t-shirts, in my devotionals, on random articles, I heard it mentioned by other people. It was literally everywhere.

What does this verse say?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Okay, God. So things are haywire, but they will turn out for the best. I get it. Just help me get through it all. It became the verse I clung to through every high and low and somedays I had to repeat it continuously throughout the day, and that hasn't changed to this day.

The other day, in a conversation I said something along the lines of "Oh, it'll all work out, I'm not worried about it," to which my friend replied.. you always say that. 

Absolutely. Because it's what I know is true. Even if I am only half confident when I say it, I'll continue to say it until my trust in it grows and I am back to full confidence in it, because I know with all my heart that He is working through and has a purpose for each and every circumstance.

My devotional was on this verse the other day, and so I wanted to share it with all of you in hopes it would inspire and encourage you:

"There are so many things we do not know. We do not know if the economy will dip or if our team will win. We do not know what our spouse is thinking or how our kids will turn out. We don't even know "what we ought to pray for" (Romans 8:26). But according to Paul, we can be absolutely certain about four things. We know:
1. God works. He is busy behind the scenes, above the fray, within the fury. He hasn't checked out or moved on. He is ceaseless and tireless. He never stops working.
2. God works for the good. Not for our comfort or pleasure or entertainment, but for our ultimate good. Since he is the ultimate good, would we expect anything less?
3. God works for the good of those who love him. Behold the benefit of loving God! Make his story your story, and your story takes on a happy ending. Guaranteed. Being the Author of our salvation, he writes a salvation theme into our biography. 
4. God works in all things. God is all-inclusive. He works, not through a few things or through the good things, best things, or easy things. But in "all things" God works.

​This we know." 

He is working for us, regardless of the situation. He loves each and every one of us and will work it all for our good. Even if it seems crazy and is painful and doesn't make sense right now, He is there with you. It might be confusing, but know and trust that no matter what you're going through, it isn't without reason and He is indeed working it all for your good. 

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