Romans 8:28 is still true even when it seems impossible.

This week we are putting to the test what we say we believe. After over fifty years of ministry, and just after announcing his retirement, my father suddenly went to be with the Lord. My mom will move alone into the retirement house they have been working on for decades. We will spend Christmas without his smile, laughter, and unselfish care for everyone. 

So, like anyone else who loses a loved one, we are asking why and what if. 

Why?

Why now?

Why so near Christmas?

Why couldn’t my parents have enjoyed a few years of retirement together?

Why would God allow my mom’s dreams to be suddenly dashed to pieces?

What if?

What if they had kept doing CPR longer?

What if he had gone to the doctor when he didn’t feel well earlier this week?

What if he had waited for help moving furniture and boxes that day?

This isn’t the first time I’ve asked these kinds of questions.

When I lost two unborn babies I asked the “whys” and “what ifs.” I’ve questioned along with friends who lost a child in tragic circumstances. When hearing about the death of a parent of many small children of someone I didn’t even know, I wanted to know why God would allow them to suffer so. And many other of life’s tragedies bring more questions than answers. 

My daddy raised me to believe the Bible. As I grew up, I came to believe it not just because of him, but because I experienced the love of Jesus myself.

So, to Romans 8:28 I must turn. “And we KNOW that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

I can’t see the good right now. None. Not even the possibility of good from this somewhere in the far distant future. Especially for my mom.

So what now?

I continue to ask the questions, but in the meantime, I preach this verse to myself over and over. I accept it in faith even though I cannot see a hint of how. 

God does love us. He WILL somehow work this loss, even in its horrific timing, for His glory and our good.

HE WILL.

So what will we do? For now, we must take one minute, hour, day at at time. Looking ahead is too overwhelming. The thought of the next few days, weeks, months, and even years is too much. Tomorrow has enough worry of its own. 

“One day at a time, sweet Jesus. That’s all I’m asking from You.” (Sung in a southern gospel drawl.)

One day at a time we will lean on Jesus and each other.

I don’t know how we will make it, but I know we will. I don’t know how my broken hearted mama will stand the lonely nights, but I know she will. We are weak, but He is strong, and we are strong in Him (2 Corinthians 12:10). The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). He promises to sustain us. We don’t have to know how.

We will pray for and expect that peace that passes understanding to guard our hearts (Philippians 4:7). We will trust God’s Word that Daddy preached so many years and shared with others in similar circumstances.  We will grieve deeply, but not as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). 

Romans 8:28 is true even when it seems impossible because our Father is an expert at doing the impossible. 

 I must first remember it myself, preach it to myself over and over, then show it in the way I grieve. 

 Oh, friend, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NASB

 But woe to those who grieve without this hope.

The promise of Romans 8:28 is not for everyone. It is only for those who love God. Do you know Jesus? Do you have hope to hold on to in sorrow? If you’re not sure, read Know Jesus, Share Jesus or What Is The Gospel Anyway?

 I would love to see my daddy’s death lead to life for you.

 I know Daddy is blessed, joyous, and more alive than ever!

 “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15 NKJV

 “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”” Revelation 14:13 NKJV

 Grief will hold on for a long time, but I will remember God’s promise in Romans 8:28 is true for eternity. 

I was raised on hymns and southern gospel songs. These two have been playing over and over in my head. 

 “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus. That’s all I’m asking from you. Just give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do. Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus. And tomorrow may never be mine. So help me today, show me the way, one day at a time.”

“There is never a day so weary, there is never a night so long, but the the soul that is trusting Jesus, will somewhere find a song. Wonderful, wonderful Jesus. In the heart He implanteth a song. A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength. In the heart He implanteth a song.”

I love the old hymns, but I most enjoy listing to contemporary Christian music. I have found this list of songs from Courageous Mom for Worship While Weeping ministers to my soul in times of grief. May they speak comfort to your heart as well while. you ask the hard questions and struggle to trust God’s promises.

One year later I wrote again about grief and what memories stand out in those early days after my dad’s home-going. Read Good Grief to see how God sustained us and helped us through the impossible.

How has God shown you Romans 8:28 is true even when it seems impossible?

Let’s encourage one another to trust God to do what only He can. Please share your story in the comments.

More in the ongoing series, “30 Things I Want My Teens to Remember”