The movie Soul Surfer tells the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenage surfer who lost an arm to a shark attack and returned to surf again. Bethany struggles to understand, trying to understand why God allowed the shark attack to happen. Her youth pastor tells her to believe that God intends it for good.

Hamilton finally sees God’s purpose in her pain after watching the devastation of the 2004 tsunami. While on the youth group mission trip, she gains a new perspective on suffering in Thailand. Seeing the suffering, Bethany is humbled and begins to understand that surfing is not her life; God is. She realizes that God has made her surf for His glory. He used her circumstances to be a witness for Him. The loss of her arm allowed her to point people to Jesus, who gave her strength. This is the truth of Romans 8:28: “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 – For His Glory and Our Good

Paul closes Romans 8 by declaring that God is at work in all things. Whenever we feel broken by the world like Bethany Hamilton, we need to remember that God is working out His good plans, and nothing we face will surprise Him. God works all things together for good—both His glory and our good. Those who love God can trust His goodness, His power, and His will to work out all things for our good.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete believe in the promise that God works all things together for good. They know not all things, taken by themselves, are good. Some things are surely bad. However, God can work them together for good. He has the master plan.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 LSB

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