We may not understand our story in the same time that it’s unfolding. It may be some time down the road that we’re able to look back with some clarity.
Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
From Matthew Poole’s commentary (written in the 1600’s), the author expands on the words “work together” from this verse:
“they work together amongst themselves, or one with another. Take this or that providence singly, or by itself, and you shall not see the good it doth; but take it in its conjunction and connexion with others, and then you may perceive it. One exemplifies it thus: As in matter of physic, if you take such and such simples alone, they may poison rather than cure; but then take them in their composition, as they are made up by the direction of a skilful physician, and so they prove an excellent medicine.”
I believe this can give such hope and perspective in the middle of difficulties. We may just be seeing a part of the story right now, and it may be a painful, confusing part. If we can hold on to the promise in this verse, we may one day (maybe sooner rather than later) see the other parts which are working together for our good, from the very one and only who is purely Good.
