‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ‘
God works in “everything”— not just isolated incidents— for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called by him, that is, those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set. They trust in God, not in life’s treasures; their security is in heaven, not on earth. Their faith in God does not waver in pain and persecution because they know God is with them.
Romans 8:28 Study Notes
NLT Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.