Romans 8:28

NASB	NLT	VOICE
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.	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.	28 We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

God works in everything for our good. It’s not just certain things that God uses for our good, but he works in everything that we do. Not everything that happens to us will be positive or pleasant, nor do we have to accept any pain or chaos as something good. It’s recognizing that at the end of everything we say or do, both good and bad, God will use our circumstances for the good of our lives and allow us to grow and follow him in the way he created us.

God doesn’t work to just bless us and ensure our happiness in our lives. God works to fulfill the purpose he created us to enact. This promise of God using everything for good is not for everyone. This promise can only be claimed by those who love God and follow him. The scripture states that they will be “called by him.” This means that the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Now, does this mean that God intentionally causes bad things to happen to non-Christians or allows non-Christians to suffer because they’re not followers? No. The evil forces of the world will cause many different forms of suffering to all people, both Christians and non-Christians. This response is a way to find an answer to what’s going on and receive comfort that better things will happen in the future for we have a Savior that is dictating all the good and bad things for the benefit of his plan for the world.

This new mindset shifts the trust in life from earthly things to God. There’s security found in the divine, not the earthly. The faith new believes will have in God doesn’t waver in pain and persecution, because they know that God is with them. Even when believers’ faith does waver and doubt creeps in, God will not leave us because that is who he is. God doesn’t go against his character just because we doubt. God doubles down on asking us to bring our concerns to him and allowing the relationship to strengthen in the best way possible.

Ephesians 1:11

NASB	NLT	VOICE
11 In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,	11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.	11 we stand to inherit even more. As His heirs, we are predestined to play a key role in His unfolding purpose that is energizing everything to conform to His will.

God has a purpose and a plan. He planned to bring salvation to the entire world. God rules the world; he is in charge. We received an inheritance from God and are one-in-the-same with Christ. We have access to the same blessings and eternal life that Jesus received. We are a part of the family of God, a sibling to Jesus, and a child of our Savior. When life seems chaotic, we must remember this. Jesus is our Lord, the only one that we need to serve and obey. God is in control. Even when the evil forces of the world and the evil people that are using their powerful for pride, ego, and evil pushing forward a division against one another, God still knows what’s going on. God is still in control of the universe. He also needs us to be his hands and feet here on earth to share his goodness and his compassion to each other.

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #187