Because He really does work it all for our good

Column Post by Laura Hyers

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

When my husband and I were dating and I was struggling with my plans for the future, for life after college and what that could look like, Caleb would always remind me of the goodness promised in Romans 8:28. It gave me some amount of peace, because no matter what happens God will make it into something good for His glory. It didn’t take the pressure off because I’m a perfectionist-overachiever-procrastinator (bet you didn’t think all those things could live in the same person, did you?), but maybe it wasn’t supposed to.

Last weekend, as our house church gathered in our new home for the first time, my friend and co-leader, Liza, was talking about God’s goodness and His plans for us, but not in the way that you’d think. We were talking about what happens when life is a struggle and you don’t understand and, as Liza put it, “the good He has for you might not be the good you want.” He may have blessed me a thousand times over, but sometimes all I can see is the one thing I’m waiting to receive, that single blessing or answer to prayer that I think I somehow deserve or, better yet, have earned.

But think about the freedom offered in this concept, friend: what if this thing you’re waiting for, or waiting to be rid of, is part of His bigger plan for you? Maybe it’s a physical or emotional ailment. Maybe it’s a painful situation in your family or church. Maybe it’s financial hardship.

It doesn’t really matter, does it? Pain and struggle and uncertainty and hurt affect us all similarly, regardless of how different the situation may be. But think on this with me: God isn’t surprised by this thing that’s happening to you, or this thing that you’re waiting for that hasn’t happened yet. He isn’t shocked or unprepared to deal with things as they are, and He is bigger than your doubts or your questions or even your anger.

Yeah, I went there.

He knows you inside and out, and He knows everything going on in your head and your heart. I mean, He made you, for crying out loud, knit you together ¾ do you really think you can effectively hide from Him? Do I?

Today I encourage you to come clean, to take off the mask that says you’re okay, and to let your heart ease into the peace that comes with knowing that His plan for you, whether we see the goodness in the right now or not, is perfect. He is working together the million different facets of your life into one glimmering picture of hope and healing; you just need to hang on and ride it out long enough to see the picture with your own eyes.

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Laura Hyers is a Tampa native, writer, and the newly wed wife of musician Caleb. She recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in literature and is currently teaching preschool. When not chasing a class of two-year-olds, Laura is writing and fighting fierce bouts of wanderlust. She loves music, reading, being near the ocean, and dreaming big over huge cups of coffee with her best friend Lakin. Laura blogs at http://littlebirdmarie.wordpress.com.

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