swimming upstream

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

we heard a stirring testimony at church yesterday from pat day, one of america's most successful jockeys (he was visiting us on behalf of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America - our minister is also a chaplain to the racing industry with ARCC, so it kind of ties in together). pat spoke passionately and honestly about his conversion and the gifts that God has given him and how he has tried to do everything he could through his high profile career to turn the world's attention to Jesus.

the above verse is one he used time and time again. and he said "it doesn't say 'and we know that in all the good things' or 'all the bad things' - it says that we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

that is something i cling to sometimes. right now it is a great comfort, when i'm struggling with health and wellbeing, as well as things like work and money and relationships and all of that. it can be so hard to make sense of things; it feels like i'm swimming upstream and part of me feels like it would be so easy just to let go and be swept away in the rapids. but i know it's worth it to hold on. verses like this give me great encouragement.