Motivate Me Monday- A New Take on Romans 8:28

Last week at church, we had a concert put on by our pastor and his family. They sang and gave testimonies between songs. His daughter spoke at one point, in so many words, about how God never promised that life was going to be easy, and God never promised that we weren't going to go through hard times. He never promised that life was going to be a piece of cake or that we were never going to face sadness in our lives. BUT He did promise to never leave us or forsake us, and He did promise that He would take care of us. She told about how they'd been through the fire, hearing the doctors make a diagnosis noone wants to hear....an immediate family member's diagnosis of HIV, from blood received at a very young age.

Today, one of our associate pastors spoke, and he talked about Romans 8:28: 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. He spoke about how God does work things out for the good (for believers in Christ), but that not everything that happens is the will of God. I had never heard it put this way. So many times in my own life, I've questioned why certain things happened; why didn't God stop these things from happening; why didn't He stop our house from burning, or why didn't He stop a horrible tragedy from striking someone I love? If everything bad that happens is the will of God, then how can He be such a loving God? I never stopped to think that this might not be the will of God. Yes, God is in control, but sometimes things happen that He never willed or wanted to happen. There is a war going on between good and evil. Even in the little things, life happens, and when it does, I have to remind myself time and again that I can't just sit and blame God for all the bad going on. I have to look to Him for my support and grace to carry on....

He went on to tell us about a family who lost their only child, whom they had adopted. He heard the pastor say to the parents, "God will never give you more than you can bear." The parents didn't blame God for what happened, until they heard those words. How many times have I heard that phrase or even used it myself, when actually, God is probably in Heaven grieving right along with us? He never wanted to see His children suffer. Yes, this phrase is true, but it's not always appropriate in every situation that is thrown our way. God won't give us more than we can bear, but could it be possible that He didn't instigate this (whatever we are going through)?

As believers, we do have the promise that everything will work out for good, but we aren't promised a life of nothing BUT good. So many Christian films, in my opinion, make it seem like once you give your life to God, everything is going to be "pie," when actually, I believe that once you become a Christian and give your heart to God, Satan is going to do everything he can to deter you in your walk. He's going to fight you tooth and nail. It's just important to remember during these tough times, though, that God will most certainly never leave us to fight alone, and He will work our circumstances out for good, in one way or another. The hard part is just remembering and trusting that He can and will.....

For more Motivate Me Monday, link up with Composing Hallelujahs.