Walking in the Word with Breast Cancer

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29 There is no doubt that being conformed to the image of Christ comes with its fair share of pain and heartache. I wish I could learn these lessons without having to go through trials, but I know it is in the valleys of life that I am made most tender.  So many people ask why a loving God would allow His children to walk through so much hurt, why a loving God would allow such pain to exist in this world? I would argue it is because He is such a loving God that He allows these trials into our lives. Being conformed to the image of Christ means I will emulate all the beautiful attributes of Jesus with my actions and my thoughts, and it also means I will live out my life for the glor...

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29 Life’s difficulties can catch us off guard sometimes, leaving us wondering if God is good. We are often puzzled over how a frustrating, hurtful, or shocking development in our lives could possibly contribute to anything good. The problem is we're focused on us and our limited ability to change the current situation. We need to stop looking at the circumstance—and get our eyes back on God.  If He wasn’t going to use that circumstance for your good, it wouldn’t have happened. He has to sign off on every single thing that touches your life. That’s not to say He wanted it—God is not the cause of evil, but He is the solution. He’s the master chess player who takes every move we make ...

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29 Why is this passage so comforting? It begins with the words, “And we know.” We don’t merely think; we don’t merely wonder. We can know. The Spirit even helps us in our weaknesses when we don't know - God helps us to know.   He helps us to know one of the greatest promises in scripture is true. The God we love doesn't break promises - He cannot lie. So even when it doesn't seem to be true in the moment, we can know that it still is. He *is* working *all* things for your good - that challenging relationship, that upsetting diagnosis, that disappointing decision.  We struggle to trust the good in the promise because we lack the eternal perspective when we're caught ...

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29 Anyone who has been through a deep valley and rested on the promises of God has likely found and embraced the truths in this verse. These words should be the anchor that holds you to God when your heart has been shattered and chaos surrounds you. The greatest of challenges and deepest of conflicts can be overcome when these verses are stored in your heart. We find comfort that lasts and the peace that surpasses all understanding when we trust these words are true.  He is good. Every believer strong in their faith has confidence in this truth to their core.  He is good. You must start there. You need to *know* that He is good - you need to believe it deep in your soul, and w...

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29 When suffering enters our lives, it can be so hard to remember this truth, but everything He allows into our lives is for the ultimate good. Every single thing. Every blessing, every challenging moment, every difficult person, every heartbreaking loss, every deep trial. It's all for our good.  As sinful people, we have such a tendency to point our finger at the situation or the other person when trials come. We want Him to heal our loved one, fix the other person, mend the relationship, make our lives easier. But that's not the good God has for us in our trials.  Suffering is a call to put our trust in Him and not in the things of this world. It's an opportunity to g...

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:28-29 For me, this verse holds the greatest truth in Scripture. So many times I've gone though the deep valleys, I’ve turned to this verse. I love the comfort that it provides no matter what is in front of me. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.  The words "we know" in particular bring me such peace. I don't just hope or wonder if He will bring good out of my trials, I can *know* that's what He is doing.  Even when it doesn't make any sense to me at all, even when it causes my heart to ache, I can know that He has a plan in it all and it is ultimately for my good. Having the confidence that the chaos in front of me will be f...

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. - Colossians 1:27-29 Proclaiming the gospel to those in our lives can be defeating. We know from scripture that those who do not believe literally think Scripture is ridiculous - they cannot see the Truth. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18. It can be frustrating and heartbreaking to try to speak truth into the life of an unbeliever because they are blind to the truth.  Even with a better understanding of the unbelievers in my life, the reality of this verse is still difficult to swallow at times.  To acknow...