“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.” Romans 8:28 (NASB)

When you experience hard things in life, it is difficult to believe that God has anything to do with what is happening. Early in

my Christian walk, my older brother died a violent death at the hands of another family member. This was the first death in my immediate family that I had experienced.

I went through many emotions during that time. It was a big test on my faith in God. I did not know where my brother was because I did

not know for sure that he was born again. I was horrified and crushed at how his life ended. I felt helpless to be of any assistance to his family and my parents.

Because of my confusion, I looked for answers from several mature Christians. One pastor read Romans 8:28 to me. I was upset and asked him, “How can any good come from such a horrible incident?” He encouraged me to go home and meditate on that scripture. I read Romans 8. Many verses stood out to me, but I tried to apply verse 28 to my family situation. After a time, I still did not understand it, but decided to believe what it says.

It was then that God reminded me how He had kept my sister-in-law’s faith strong throughout the weeks following her husband’s death. She had even encouraged others around her in their faith. Then later, both my parents put their trust in the Lord. Since then, I have seen God’s goodness in many situations.

Father God in heaven, please help me to remember, You work for the good of those who love You and have been called according to

[Your] purpose.

– Theresa Bose

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org