Read
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
Reflect
One winter morning many years ago, a fleet of fishing vessels set sail from the east coast of Newfoundland, only to encounter a violent storm. As the townspeople waited for good news about the fate of their loved ones, night fell without even one vessel returning home.
Throughout the night, the families waited patiently (and sometimes impatiently) for the boats and men to return. Some even offered up prayers that God would return everyone safely. But to their horror, one fisherman’s home caught fire.
Virtually every man was in the fishing fleet, so it was left to the women of the town to put out the blaze. Sadly, they were no match for the fire, and the home was lost.
As the light of morning arrived, so did the boats, one by one. Everyone was overjoyed – save for the wife of the man whose home was destroyed by the fire. This woman greeted her husband, but her hugs and kisses were accompanied by tears as she told her husband of the tragedy that had taken their home and possessions.
But instead of grief, the man responded in a way she hadn’t expected.”Thank God for that fire, honey,” he said. “Last night everything was pitch dark, all except for the light coming from the fire of our burning home. It was that light that safely guided us home.”
The Bible doesn’t say that all things are good. In this story, the storm wasn’t good, nor was the sadness and grief of the loved ones who were worried that the fishermen were lost. And, most of all, the fire that consumed a home and belongings was definitely not a good thing. But together, all things did work together for a good outcome.
In our lives, it’s hard to see how some of the things that we encounter can ever bring about anything good. But God assures us that everything that happens, no matter how bad it seems at first, can and will come together for good, so long as we love Him and stay focused on His purposes.
This week, focus on building your relationship with the Lord. Pray that He will help you stay on His path. Pray even more that, when trials come your way, that He will give you faith to look for how He will ultimately bring a positive resolution.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
