I’ve often heard this verse cited as a way of encouraging people, especially during hard times. Let’s take a closer look see how God uses these words to speak to us today.

We know

This speaks to me of a deeply rooted faith, a knowing that goes beyond intellectual knowing and even emotions to a deep rootedness in our spirituality. It also reminds me that it’s a collective knowing, which is important. Together we know that all things work for our good, that God loves us and is with us. Sometimes, though, I as an individual struggle to fully believe this. Sometimes I fall into doubt or my anxiety takes over, and although say I know, I’m really flailing in worry and fear. It’s in those times that I need the “we” to know. It’s then when I’m most grateful that our faith is a communal one, so that when I doubt, someone else knows and can remind me that God is trustworthy. My doubts are okay, and I’m not alone in them. And during times when I feel confident in God’s love, trusting that all will work out, I can reassure someone else.

all things

Not some things, but all things work for our good. This reminds me that my spiritual life is not confined to when I’m praying, but God is in every part of my life. In all things deep and superficial, momentous and irrelevant, joyous and painful, peaceful and annoying, numinous and mundane, God is there. In all ways and at all times, God is present in my life working within and without for my good.  

work for good

God is present in my life working for my good, and I trust that God calls me to that which will ultimately be for my good as well as the good of other people. This belief is pretty foundational to my community. We have a prayer that’s really important to us called the “Act of Abandonment to Divine Providence.” One of the lines of that prayer is, “[God,] I know that you will either preserve me from the evils I dread, or turn them to my good and your glory.” So, God will either protect me or will help all things work for my good. I find this reassuring because the reality is that bad things do happen. Painful things happen. Sometimes they happen as cause and effect, as a result of my own actions. Sometimes they just happen. But either way, God is always working for my good and God’s own glory.

for those who love God

Those of us who love God — Catholic or not, religious or spiritual or not sure, people living their best lives and those who are struggling — we can love God because God loved us first. We may think it’s our initiative, our actions, our experiences, but really everything comes from God’s initiative, God’s invitation. God’s love is not some elitist thing for some but not for others. God created each one of us in love, continues to care for us, and desires relationship with every person. So, all things work for the good of everyone, whether we know it or not, whether we trust God or not. It’s all God.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God . . .

 What insights stir in you as you read this verse?

What feelings does it evoke in you?

When you look back over parts of your life, do you find it to be true that all things have worked for your good (and maybe even God’s glory)?

I invite you to pause sometime during the course of this day and try and notice where and how God has made all things work for our good. Here’s a little guided reflection. Maybe we can do this together.

By Sister Leslie Keener, CDP

Sister Leslie Keener, CDP is the director of God Space, a community-building spirituality ministry in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She’s a Sister of Divine Providence with a Masters in Ministry and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Retreats from Creighton University. She directs retreats, meets with people for spiritual direction, and serves as the vocation director for her community. She also serves on the Coordinating Council of Spiritual Directors International. She enjoys music, dancing, meaningful conversations.

By Sister Leslie Keener, CDP

Sister Leslie Keener, CDP is the director of God Space, a community-building spirituality ministry in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She’s a Sister of Divine Providence with a Masters in Ministry and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Retreats from Creighton University. She directs retreats, meets with people for spiritual direction, and serves as the vocation director for her community. She also serves on the Coordinating Council of Spiritual Directors International. She enjoys music, dancing, meaningful conversations.