The passage in Romans 8:28 is very familiar to most believers, but I fear verse 29, which actually gives definition to the previous one, is oftentimes slighted.   Let's look at it.

"And we know that all things work together for GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be CONFORMED to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (emphases mine)

Those who love God because He first loved them, as seen in 1 John 4:10, have been called according to His singular purpose as seen in verse 29.  It is that we become more and more like the Lord Jesus in the way we think, the way we behave, and the way we talk.

Every event and circumstance of the believer's life is righteously administrated by the sovereign Lord.  In those times of difficulty and trial, we are to model our thoughts, actions and words after those of Christ, Whom the writer of Hebrews explains is the express image of the Father in human flesh.  God is working in the lives of His children, according to Philippians 2:13, to will (desire) and to do (ability) His good pleasure, which is conformity to Christ.   (parentheses mine)

When the character and nature of God is evident in our lives, as revealed in Christ, according to God's Holy Word, our eternal good and His eternal glory are simultaneously accomplished, even in the midst of great trials, as we fully rely on His grace.  To the extent that we fully submit our will to His will and live in loving obedience to His Word, we will know the victorious joy and perfect peace  that He graciously provides His blood-bought children.

(c) 1984 NACollins  MAY PRINT (1) COPY FOR PERSONAL USE from Meditations on God's Word in Times of Trial

Isaiah 26:3  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee"  Perfect peace, according to Isaiah, is the divine by-product of a mind which is consistently stayed (kept tightly focused) on Him (God's eternal, infallible Word, His promises, His clearly stated plans and purposes for His children).

In the presence of incredible difficulties, the servants of God demonstrate this awesome conditional promise.  (It is conditional in that there is a
pre-requisite given in order for the promise to be claimed).  We see Stephen
presenting a quietness of heart as the stones were hurled to accomplish his
death; Paul gave glowing ministry reports from an unbelievable prison of
suffering;  Peter understood the principle of "focus" from his water-walking
encounter with the Master, and the very Spirit of God brought a peace that
passes understanding as we see Jesus Christ carrying His own cross on the trip to Golgotha.

So, when we 'struggle', that is, experience less than perfect peace, we know
that God gives a 2 step process to resolve the conflict.  Those two steps are
simply 1) REPENT and 2) REFOCUS.  How might we establish that refocusing process? 

May I recommend the following:

1.  God's Person is PERFECT ( Psalm 18:30)

2.  God's Purpose is CONFORMITY TO CHRIST (Romans 8:28-29)

3.  God's Plan is the COUNSEL OF HIS WILL (Ephesians 1:11)

4.  God's Promise is His PERPETUAL PRESENCE (Hebrews 13:5)

5.  God's Performance is His FAITHFULNESS (1 Corinthians 10:13)

6.  God's Provision is His GRACE ( 2 Corinthians 12:9)

7.  God's Peace is FOCUS-DEPENDENT (Isaiah 26:3)

(c) 1999 N. A. Collins

What is meant by problem solving?  Actually, resolutions to existing problems are typically pulled from the opinions and/or experience received throughout our lives. That makes the basis for individual problem solving that which has formed our practical world view or personal belief system.  If that basic understanding were to be contrasted with Biblical problem solving, it factors in the most essential component of all – the heart, mind, will and purpose of God for humanity. 

As believers, it is the Word of God that is the source and resource for every divine solution to human problems. When we think of the empty cross and the open Bible, we realize that the two primary aspects of biblical hope are salvation and obedience.  Thus, our problem solving efforts are always in line with and on the basis of the Word of God.  I know of no better passage to frame our thoughts about this than 2 Timothy 3:16:

All scripture in given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 

In this verse, God assures us that the Scripture is profitable for doctrine in which we see His heart, mind, will and purpose for our lives.  In reproof, as we examine our ABC’s in direct relationship to His will (Attitudes, Behavior, Communication),  we see those thoughts or actions or words that fail to accomplish His  heart by our being conformed to the image of His Son.  In correction, we make a directional change as we repent of those areas of self-will which we have identified.  Then, in practical restructure, we take the instruction in righteousness given in His Word about the long term habit patterns that need to be changed in order to glorify Him.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

The question to ask ourselves today and every day, to make assessment of our Biblical problem solving skills is :
"How am I doing in being more and more like Christ in the way I think, in the way I walk, and in the way I talk?"

May God bless you today as you solve problems, make decisions, and resolve conflicts biblically.

 © 1999 N.A.Collins