All Things Work Together for Good
Are you facing trials and difficulties? Are you living out God’s plan for your life? Do you want to let things work out God’s way?
When we know that things will work together for good, it is easier for us to persevere through trials and difficulties. When sales goals are not being met, cash flow is low, or when we are losing customers or facing personal challenges, it is reassuring to know that there will eventually be some good along the way if we can just hold on a little longer.
However, the key to fully experiencing the benefits of this scripture in your life and business is that there must be two conditions present: you must love God, and you must be called according to His purpose. Since this passage of scripture presents conditions that must exist in order for things to work together for good, the absence of those conditions naturally means that things may not work together for good or that we may not be able to see the good in what we are going through. You must apply this passage completely to reap the full rewards.
First, you must love God. What does that really mean? Loving God does not necessarily mean telling Him each day how much you love Him, but it does require a lifestyle of obedience. One way we can obey God and show our love for Him is by treating others in a manner that reflects God’s compassion and grace. It is easy to say you love God, but modeling your life after His love and reflecting His image and likeness is much more difficult.
Some of us, unfortunately, work more to reflect God after our own image and likeness rather than seeking to reflect the image and likeness of God. When you reflect God according to your own image and likeness, you use Him to justify your behavior, but when you reflect His image and likeness, you allow Him to change your behavior.
How do you treat your husband and wife? What about your children or parents? What about your customers, employees, neighbors or friends? Your treatment of others must clearly demonstrate your love for God.
The second condition that must be present in your life for all things to work together for good is that you must be called according to His purpose. We may believe we are fulfilling our calling, but we must ask ourselves if it is truly God’s purpose for our lives. Your life and business must operate in such a way that it is aligned with God’s purpose for you and His ultimate plan for you on earth. You cannot just do what you want and expect God to bless the outcome or to clean up your mess. God is an orderly God, a God of grace, and a God of principles. The reason He works all things together for good isn’t necessarily for you to be happy, but so that God’s kingdom may come alive and be effective here on earth.
Like most responsible entrepreneurs, God has a plan. There may be trials in our lives along the way, but He is committed to seeing His plan through to the finish. In your business, you give allowances to your employees as long as they are operating with good and godly intentions and working in line with the overall plan you have for the company. When they make mistakes, you are forgiving; when they face setbacks, you find a way to help them come back; when they overspend, you make it up as long as their intentions are right and they learn from their mistakes. You will cut them some slack as long as they are operating responsibly. God works the exact same way. He has a plan, and He will do whatever it takes to see His plan come to pass through those who love Him and are living according to His purpose.
Also remember, He said all things will work together for good, but not necessarily for your good. For His good means His ultimate plan and purpose, while for your good means for your benefit solely. It is not about you. It is always about Him. But ultimately, His plan will benefit you even more than your own.
My prayer for you today is that you will demonstrate your love for God and align your activities with His purpose.
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