menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Motherhood
  • Ranch Life
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Checkout
    • Cart
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Motherhood
  • Ranch Life
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Checkout
    • Cart
×
Home » Ranch House » Motherhood & Faith

God uses trials to sweeten us.

Published: Mar 5, 2015 by Kay Schrock · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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

When God Smooths us

This is a very familiar verse to me. I have known it since I was a child. But it took many years to really grasp the significance of what it says. When God says something, we know He means it. He doesn't say things lightly or jokingly.
So when He says that He uses 'all things' to work together for our good, then we can be assured that is exactly what He means. ALL THINGS. All things.

Death of loved ones. Rejection by family. Betrayal by friends. Financial difficulties. Sickness and disease. Chronic pain. Job troubles. Past abuse. And so much more.

These are hard things. But they can all work together - like ingredients in a cake - to make you a sweeter person. A cup of flour is pretty hard to get down, a cup of cocoa is even harder! So bitter! But mix it with the flour, and an egg, and some even more awful baking powder, etc, and soon you have a delicious chocolate cake!

This is how trials in our lives work together. We can sit and taste the cup of cocoa on our tongue for years, every day tasting it again, and every day just as bitter! But when we see that God is using it to make us sweet, we can trust Him with that pain and allow Him to use it in our life story.

The condition, of course, is obedience to God's commands. 
...to those who love God...
We know from 1 John 2:3-5, that we prove our love of God by our obedience. So then, this promise is for those who obey God. If we are walking in disobedience and living for Self, then we cannot claim this promise. Only those who truly love God can be assured that everything in their life is working together for good.

How do we get past the pain?    We obey God's commands.
We forgive those who have wronged us.   Luke 6:27-28
We are loving to the unlovely. Matthew 5:44
We depend on God for our livelihood.  Luke 12:28
We give thanks in all things.  1 Thessalonians 5:18
We pray fervently for each other. James 5:16

So be encouraged, my friend! Those hard things in your life are working together for your good. Maybe it seems impossible now, but one day you will look back over your life and understand that through the hardships, you have become more loving, more gentle, more kind and understanding because you were tested and found to be sweet. Instead of bitter cocoa and dry flour, your life will be like a delicious slice of chocolate cake, to everyone who meets you.

 

More Motherhood & Faith

  • cross on bible
    10 New Year's Resolutions For Christians (in 2024)
  • little girl laughing as she colors a picture
    One easy way to build connection with your child.
  • book stack
    5 Practical Books For the Christian Mother
  • NIV Halley's Study Bible

Sharing is caring!

56 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Comments

  1. Karyn says

    March 05, 2015 at 9:55 am

    This is a beautiful post on God's purposes in our lives! I love the example of eating flour or cocoa versus eating cake 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




woman wearing gray cowboy hat and cream silk shirt with long brown hair in a braid

Welcome!

I am Kay, a mom, homeschooler, Wyoming gal, and disciple of Jesus. I was raised by an Amish mother who was a great cook, baker, and homemaker. I learned to cook like her: comfort food from scratch.

More about me

Trending Recipes

  • My First Bull Elk Hunt in Wyoming
  • Zucchini Bread Recipe
    Zucchini Bread Recipe
  • Amish Whoopie Pies
    Amish Whoopie Pie Recipe
  • Fluffy Mashed Potatoes in a red dutch oven
    Fluffy Mashed Potatoes From Scratch
  • Fried Deer Tenderloin (gluten-free option)
  • jars of jelly with leaves and berries
    Oregon Grape Jelly Recipe

Popular Recipes

  • breakfast venison sausage patties on plate
    Venison Breakfast Sausage Recipe
  • crockpot full of elk stew with rosemary sprig on top
    Crockpot Elk Stew
  • elk recipes image
    25 Ground Elk Meat Recipes
  • beef meatballs
    Easy, Classic Beef Meatballs Recipe {oven-baked}
  • stuffed elk loin
    Cream Cheese Stuffed Venison Backstrap
  • elk roast with mashed potatoes and peas on plate
    Crockpot Elk Roast (with gravy)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

More

  • Privacy Policy

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 A Ranch Mom

56 shares
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.