Works for Good in God's time!

 
by Joyce Pelletier


How many times do we fall back to Romans 8:28? Is this that one verse we take for granted? Or do we miss it’s true meaning?

The definition of suffering - the state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship.The loss of something important.

We all experience some kind of suffering in our lives. Some of it  is physical, other is emotionally, circumstantially and just plain hardship where it is  just one of those times when you are tempted to throw in the towel. Until…

If I think about what Jesus suffered on the cross, it was the worst! No one could ever feel the pain Jesus experienced. He felt rejection, throbbing pain all over his body. His emotions were tested to the limits. Yet in the Garden He prayed that if this cup cannot pass away, unless He drank it, so he prayed “Father, Your will be done.”

Jesus knew what He was facing in the Garden. Yet, He surrendered everything to the Father. He knew that was his call. 

Romans 8:18 Paul tells us, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Vs 22 says, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Vs 26-28, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 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.”

I recognize my example/experience is pretty trivial. But, I will share it anyway. 

Recently, my clothes washer broke down. I purchased it new 15 months ago. It rebelled, and I called in the repairman only to find out the repair would cost more than what it is worth. 

Now you may be thinking it’s not a big deal! Well, I’d have to agree, you’re probably right. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. The short life span was the sore spot. After two plus weeks, we broke down and bought another one. It is not the electronic age, with ships that go to the moon and yet a 15 month washing machine cannot measure up to provide clean clothes. 

How does this speak into Romans 8:28? Well, it’s been a time of trial for “things” that don’t work. It happens all the time. I fell prey to getting frustrated, angry and critical. Even thinking no one understands. (Well, when you are put out, you think no one understands. 

So, what is the good out of this? Well, I learned some shortcomings in my life that needed attention. I also learned that you may not get good results from a repairman, but he will provide truth for what is wrong and charge you for the call anyway.

With, God, though, He’s always providing truth for us. Yet lots of times, I fall short for being a good listener. My frustration level is something that I need to work on. Also I realize that sometimes,  I don’t play the waiting game very well. 

The good parts were, taking more time to talk more to God about things. Take on His patience and “wait” and never give up on hope. Learning the hard things in life can be more “good” than just wanting to jump through those hard days and seek God and trust the end result to be what God does for us. Now that it's behind me, I got a break from doing laundry. Guess that's not so bad! 

Jesus didn't get a break. He suffered on the cross. He didn’t whine or get angry, he knew the Father had a Plan. He willingly went to the cross. He didn’t like it, but knew the outcome would provide believers to share Heaven with him. He trusted His Father and the end result is… 
                                          Father knows Best!