Does God Promise Good? A Muffin Experience of Romans 8:28

Twenty-nine years ago, I sat at my kitchen table and surrendered my life to Christ. I thought that from that point on, my life would be grand. Hubby and I would have successful careers. Hubby and I would have lots of friends. Hubby and I would always be healthy. Our problems would be over because God is in control.

But those are earth-thoughts. Temporary. Not eternal.

At the time, a good friend shared this glorious verse with me:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

All things working together for good; the puzzle pieces of life creating a beautiful work of art. But each puzzle piece doesn’t display beauty on its own. Romans 8:28 doesn’t say all things will appear good in the moment. It doesn’t say my life will be grand and I will be healthy. It says all things will work together for good. It might be more like mixing raw egg (yuck), plain flour (yuck), sugar (yummy), baking powder (yuck), plain cinnamon (yuck), plain butter (yuck), and banana (yummy). They all bake up beautifully into a lovely muffin, but on their own, I would not voluntarily choose most of them.

So maybe my life events are like muffin ingredients; on their own, they are not necessarily appealing, but the end product is delectable.

So all things, everything that is happening in the life of those who are called according to his purpose, everything that is happening to those who love God, all things work together for good - even the things we dread and mourn and perceive as bad and wish never happened. Good? Is it possible?

A verse to partner with Romans 8:28 is Psalm 71:20:

“You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.” (Psalm 71:20)

Widely attributed to King David, this great man looks back on his life and understands that God made him encounter many troubles and calamities. Why? Why not give us an easy life, God? Why not give us health and wealth and comfort and ease? If I had a life of ease, I may not see my great need for a Savior. I may not see the need for anything but me. I would be my own king.

King David continues. After acknowledging that God made him see many troubles and calamities - anyone who has read Scripture knows how true this is - David claims God will revive him again. From the depths of the earth God will bring David up again! Our God is great. He will not leave us nor forsake us. Should I lose my way, He will leave the 99 to find me.

And then, He will “increase my greatness and comfort me again.”

That great day at the kitchen table, I didn’t realize the depth of beauty hidden in the seemingly ugly. Health struggles, financial struggles, parenting struggles, and more; I can give thanks in all things because I know my great God works them all for good.

Thank you, Jesus, for all things.

First published in Pursuing Perfection on Substack by © Tessa Lind, tessalind.substack.com