Romans 8:28 is one of the most quoted (and misunderstood) verses in Scripture:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

Many of us read that as a guarantee that if we love God, everything in life will eventually work out in our favor. But when things stay hard, when the relationship doesn’t heal, the job doesn’t improve, or the sadness doesn’t lift, we feel confused and let down. If God is working for my good, why isn’t anything getting better?

The problem isn’t God.
Often, the problem is how we’ve been reading the verse.

When Life Didn’t Feel “Good”

Before pastoring here, I served as a worship leader in West Michigan. During seminary, that job counted as my internship, which was a gift. But in my final year, when our pastor moved away, I suddenly found myself doing the work of a half-time pastor on top of school and worship leadership.

I prayed, “God, help me. Fix this.”
But nothing magically changed. I was exhausted and burning out.

Eventually I realized: God wasn’t working for me, He was working with me.
If I didn’t set boundaries, ask for help, and care for my soul, the situation wouldn’t improve. God wasn’t failing to act. I was failing to participate.

What Romans 8:28 Actually Says

The Greek wording of Romans 8:28 is better read:

“In all things, God works together with those who love Him to bring about good.”

Not passive.
Not automatic.
Not God doing everything while we watch.

God invites us into partnership. We’re not just recipients of His good - we’re participants in His good.

The “Good” God is Working Toward

Paul defines the good in the next verse:

“…to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

God’s primary goal isn’t circumstantial comfort.
It’s Christlike transformation.

He forms us into people who think, love, and live like Jesus so that His goodness flows through us into the world.

You Can Trust the Process

Paul then says those God predestined, called, justified, He also glorified. Past tense. Your future with Christ is so secure that Scripture speaks of it as already completed.

That means:

• You can trust Him in the process.
God sees the whole story, even when you don’t.
• You can partner with Him in the present.
Every small step of obedience becomes a place where His goodness appears.
• You can rest in the outcome.
Your future is not fragile.
  

The Question That Changes Everything

If God is working with you and through you, here’s the question:

Where might God be inviting me to join Him instead of waiting for Him?

Where have you prayed, “God, do something,” while God is whispering, “I am... come join Me”?

Maybe the good He wants to bring begins with you:

• Starting the conversation
• Offering the apology
• Setting the boundary
• Asking for help
• Taking the next faithful step
  

Don’t just pray, “God, fix this.”
Also pray, “God, show me how to participate in Your good work here.”

Because God is not done working.


Not in your life,


not in your situation,


and not in you.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Zac