²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. 

I've known Romans 8:28 by heart for as long as I can remember.  It's one of the verses that friends have quoted to me during hard times.  Honestly, though, it's not very consoling in the midst of heartache to hear "it's for your good,"  just like it's not comforting to hear that your tragedy "is God's will." 

But, for weeks now, Romans 8:28 has been one of the verses that has often popped into my mind.  As I repeatly recited it internally, I began to realize that this verse never specifies that all things work together for the good of the one who loves him, but for those who love him.  I began to see that maybe losing my daughter wasn't just meant for my good, but also for others' good. 

The section of scripture that starts with Romans 8:28 is called "More than Conquerors," and it ends with the verse "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,d neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."    Neato.

I can be more than a conqueror through Christ's strength, and through His strength, I can work through tragedy.   Good has already come from the tragedy of Stella's death, and good will continue to come from this tragedy, not only for me, but also for others who have been called according to his purpose.  I am meant to draw comfort from comforting others, both now and in the future.

Romans 8:28 now seems much more consoling than before.