In his Letter to the Romans (8:28), St Paul enunciates a profound principle: "In all things, by turning everything to their good, God cooperates with all those who love him."

Anyone who reads this from a merely human perspective may dismiss it as a purely personal opinion on Paul's part. When we read it with the eyes of faith, the mind and heart of faith, however, we are drawn to a greater hope in the face of afflictions and difficulties.

Going along with the mob's mindless behaviour, the magistrates unjustly flogged Paul and Silas and had them put in prison. The rest of the story amply illustrates Paul's principle of God drawing good out of evil. Paul accomplished a little more of his missionary intention. The jailer, who willingly or unwillingly was caught up in the whole incident, came to faith along with his whole family. Difficult though it may be, our religion encourages us to look at the world and life itself in this way, attentive to the way in which God turns everything to our good if we live our lives in love with God.