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

It is the “All Things” portion of this scripture that can really get to people. Sure, we want to think all good things work together but it is far harder to think all bad things work together as well.

Bad things happen to good people. Bad things also happen to godly people. The rain falls on the just and the wicked.

We want to see ourselves as set above it. However, we are not told to expect this. In fact, we are told to expect the opposite and take up our cross. This is where the rubber truly hits the road when it comes to faith.