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All Things Work Together for Good

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 43.

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“All Things Work Together for Good”

By D. H. Kress, M. D.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.
“ALL things are for your sakes, . . . for which cause we faint not.” From these words it is evident that everything that comes to human beings God designs for their good. Whether all things will be for their good or not depends upon their mental attitude toward all things. To those who know that all things are for their sakes, and designed for their good, to them “all things work together for good;” while to those who fail to recognize this, but call good evil, the intended blessings prove a curse.
The one who sees only good in every experience, in every trial, in every providence, can never be injured morally. He will never faint because of these “all things,” which cause others to faint, for he understands their significance and mission, and reads in them God’s thoughts of peace toward him. Should Satan destroy property, such a one will say with Job, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.”
But suppose some one speaks harshly to me, or treats me spitefully; in what way is that to work together for my good? Let us read another scripture which may explain this: “With what measure ye meet, it shall be measured to you again.” The reason why God permits others to treat me harshly is because at some time I have treated others in a like manner, or I have something in me that would lead me to do so, should occasion arise.
We can expect no peace from the outside until there exists peace within. God permits harshness on the outside until all harshness is overcome within; and when all harshness is overcome within, we shall have rest from our enemies round about on this particular point.
From the things that come to us from without we may understand something of what exists within. It is God’s way of pointing out to us that which needs replacing by a Christlike virtue.
If harsh and unkind words spoken to me lead me to get rid of all harshness in myself; if the untruths said about me lead me to get rid of all untruthfulness, I shall receive no injury from the things from without. In other words, if I recognize that all things are for my sake and for my good, they will be for my good. But if these things do not lead to prayer, but lead me to take up arms in self-defense, I sustain an injury. Instead of harshness being gotten rid of, or converted into compassion, it is cultivated. We see how God makes the wrath of man to praise him, and that “it must needs be that offenses come.” If I fully believe this, offenses will never lead me to pity myself, for I am benefited by them. They will lead me to pity the one through whom they come, because the woe is upon him. It will lead me to pray for those who despitefully use me and persecute me.
While offenses come, by the child of faith they will not be regarded as offenses. The one who recognizes their mission will have constant peace, and can never be offended. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?”
Worry kills, but worry is an expression of a lack of faith. There is health, peace, and happiness in a faith that endures as seeing him who is invisible, in every providence, in every trial, in all things. And to all such “all things work together for good.”
Takoma Park, D. C.