Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

Romans 8:35 (NLT)

Yesterday, we considered that God is for us, but what about those times when things aren’t going so well? I like the way the New Living Translation words this thought – “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble…?”

What do you think? Over the years I’ve heard many people question the spiritual condition of another person who is experiencing an illness or the loss of a job. “He/she must have some kind of sin in their life” or “he must be getting what he deserves” or “that looks like instant karma.”

Yes, sinful choices have consequences, but calamity can happen to anyone. God didn’t promise a pain-free life, but He did promise His presence even in the toughest of times –

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Romans 8: 37-39

God is for us. Even when we face difficult times, He is at work bringing about the best for us. Is there something happening in your life now that requires trust in His perfecting love?