The phrase from Romans 8:28 is oftentimes quoted in an attempt for us to cling to the silver-lining in a difficult circumstance. The hope is that better things are coming, or that He will bring something good out of the ashes. But when we say “Good” what is it we mean? Do we mean in the ashes of our marriage, God will bring me a better spouse? Do we mean in the wake of a massive heart attack God will help make me physically strong enough again to run a marathon? Do we mean the loss of a job/career to bring about a better paying position? Do we place God in a box based on our understanding? When I picture good does in coincide with society’s viewpoint on the best things in life? Or do I see things through the lens of abiding? I had the Lord walk me through this discussion a few nights ago. This came after a moment of clarity regarding how to submit or surrender fully to the Lord. That is a separate blog though.

In the ashes of my marriage and subsequent divorce I had very little idea of what was best or good in my life. I had my kids, a decent job by the world’s standards, and good physical health. As I came out of a depression I started to see what I desired, or rather my flesh desired, for good. It was to own a house again. It was to get married to someone who would value me and serve the Lord with me. Also, to become debt free and live financially as the Lord would want. Now these sound like great things, but are they best for my life? Who would know that? The Lord of course would know.

As I defined my life and what would be a good life, then reconciled slowly with his Word I realized something that Paul realized, those could never be best because each will fail or decay. So when the Lord and I discussed this (I read and asked the Holy Spirit to continue to bring about the truth as I talked it out in my head) I realized I am not meant to define good. Adam and Eve tried that. They had everything they needed, yet the wanted to define good and evil for the sake of their own wisdom. And it brought about the fall of mankind. So why should I make the same mistake? “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.” I surrendered a difficult continuous relationship with an ex-spouse. I thought about it and my prayers and instead of asking him to take the contention away or for something to happen to her, I asked him to use this thorn (the contention in the relationship) to bring me to a closer dependence on him. And of course he did 3 days later. The point is sometimes we see the “good” in a situation as being out of the situation or the situation getting “fixed”. I’m just not sure that’s always how God sees the good. The good may bring us to depend completely on him due to financial ruin (usually brought on by sin, either others against us or by our own choosing). It may keep us sick or crippled because without our dependence on our own strength we submit to the Lord fully. This doesn’t mean the Lord enjoys the pains we go through, but he will certainly use them on his plan to bring about the best. So what is the best. When we take John 15, it is us living as a branch of the vine and finding all of our source, identity, and meaning from the Lord. THAT IS BEST! THAT IS GOOD!

Remember to abide is to live in surrender, submission, and total dependence on the Lord. When we can pray for that in our lives, we can depend on his answer following shortly. But how can we do that? Paul mentions that in the previous two verses, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” What tool did he give us? The Holy Spirit of course. That’s how we can know he is working for our good. He knows what we need and desire. He knows what will happen when we get what we need and if we get what we desire. He has taken that into his wisdom and made a plan for us. So much more that could be said, but ending with this: Can you look at your circumstances and realize that even in your pain and hurt God’s plan is better than yours? If so, surrender it. If not, ask Him to show you why, then surrender it.