It's difficult to read those words and then think of the trials plaguing our friends, family and us. Households bereaved of loved ones, young and old alike struck down by cancer, car accidents and a host of other tragedies. How can the words of Romans 8:28 possibly be true when things like these happen almost without pause? How could we believe that the same God who knows when a sparrow falls to the ground, who knows the number of hairs on our heads, who holds us in His hand and hears our cries, would ever allow anything to happen to His people without a reason? God has a plan for us—for each one of us. In Isaiah 55:9 God tells us bluntly, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Elihu's message to Job is about the same: "God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words" (Job 33:12-13). The truth is, God doesn't owe you or me an explanation. Just because He promises us a bright future doesn't mean we're entitled to an immediate understanding of the significance of every step on the way there. Sometimes His answer is a simple, "I know this makes no sense from where you're standing right now, but just trust Me. You'll know the reasons soon enough." Job sat for a week on a pile of ashes. His livestock, servants and children had all perished in extreme tragedies on the same day. His body was covered in painful sores. His wife mocked his misfortune. His three "friends" hurled baseless accusations at him. He felt persecuted by God without a cause. But his attitude? "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15). Faith, we are told, is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Like Job, we can trust God—because we hope for and believe in something that goes far beyond this life. That is the key to understanding God's promise in Romans 8:28—the knowledge that this life isn't the end. God is preparing a Kingdom for those who remain faithful to Him, especially as they face dark times without knowing the cause. This present life is a training ground. The difficulties we face prepare us to perform our duties as God's kings, priests and teachers in the world tomorrow. Being purged by fire (Zechariah 13:9) is hardly comfortable and never easy, but we endure, knowing that these trials are "not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). This is the promise we have in God. Although we or others may face seemingly insurmountable trials in this life—and even death—God's people will have a place in His Kingdom, where "He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:3-4). All things will work together for good. That is God's promise. UN