What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

- Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

It is vital that you grasp the weight of this verse.

When life is not going your way and things seem to be going wrong left and right, it can be easy to feel like God has abandoned or forgotten about you.

This couldn’t be farther from the truth!

The more you grasp the truth and believe in your heart that God is for you, fear and anxiety concerning the present and future have no hold on you. You will be able to face the hurdles and hardships of life with supernatural grace that He has bestowed upon you.

When the devil tries to intimidate you with lies, what-if disaster scenarios, doubt, confusion and panic, remind yourself you have the very Creator of the universe on your side.

No one can separate you from Him or His love.

If the King of the universe is on your side and you know how good and loving He is through your relationship with Him, why should you be afraid?

If the God who created the mountains, the skies, the creatures and all living things is for you, why would you fear the future? Why would you fear the devil and anything he tries to throw at you?

The troubles, trials and foes of life may be able to knock you down for a little while, but they will never be able to defeat you because of the One living inside you. You are a warrior!

The next time you feel far away and abandoned, tell yourself the truth: God is for you, God is with you, and God is living inside of you by His spirit. He holds your every moment as well as the entire world in His hands.

God has always loved you and always will. He approves of you because you belong to Him. God has your back. Tell yourself today, “God is for me, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? What can the devil do? Nothing!”

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being for me. Help me to never doubt your faithfulness and love towards me. I know I can rest assured knowing you hold my every moment. Help me to remind myself of the truth whenever the enemy tries to lie to me. Amen.”

With Love,
Sarah Sherstad

The Context: A Declaration After Deep Theology

Romans 8 is one of the most hope-filled chapters in all of Scripture. Before verse 31, Paul speaks about:

Life in the Spirit

Adoption into God’s family

Suffering and future glory

The Spirit helping in weakness

God working all things together for good

Then Paul pauses and asks a rhetorical question:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

This is not denial of opposition. Paul experienced imprisonment, beatings, rejection, and persecution. He understood hardship intimately.

Yet he understood something deeper:

God’s posture toward him was settled.

God was not neutral.
God was not evaluating.
God was not distant.

God was for him.

And that changes everything.

What This Means Theologically

Romans 8:31 is not about positive thinking. It is about covenant security.

Because of Christ:

You are justified.

You are adopted.

You are indwelt by the Spirit.

You are loved with steadfast love.

The question “Who can be against us?” does not mean enemies disappear. It means no enemy has ultimate authority.

The greatest question is not:
“Who opposes me?”

It is:
“Where does God stand in relation to me?”

And Scripture answers clearly:

He stands for you.

When This Feels Difficult to Believe

There are moments when this verse feels abstract.

When:

You feel misunderstood.

You face criticism.

You struggle privately.

You experience unanswered prayer.

You battle anxiety or insecurity.

In those moments, it can feel like life is stacked against you.

But relationship with God is not defined by emotion — it is anchored in promise.

Romans 8:31 calls you back to relational certainty.

Your circumstances may fluctuate.
God’s commitment does not.

Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal

This verse becomes transformative when it moves from doctrine to dialogue.

Open your Personalized Scripture Journal and intentionally deepen your relationship with God through reflection.

Step 1: Reflect on God’s Posture Toward You

Write honestly:

Do I believe God is personally for me?

Where have I interpreted hardship as abandonment?

What situation makes me question His goodness?

Do I relate to God as supportive or distant?

What fears dominate my thinking right now?

Allow yourself to be candid. Intimacy grows where honesty exists.

Step 2: Personalize the Promise

Rewrite the verse slowly:

“If God is for me, who can be against me?”

Insert your name.

Read it aloud.

Sit with it.

Let it become relational instead of general.

This is where Scripture becomes personal.

Step 3: Turn Fear into Conversation

Now write directly to God.

Name your current challenge.

Express where you feel opposed.

Admit where trust feels thin.

Ask Him to strengthen your confidence.

Thank Him for standing with you.

Journaling is not performance. It is relationship practice.

Step 4: Identify One Courageous Action

Relational trust produces practical confidence.

Ask:

What have I been avoiding because of fear?

What conversation requires calm boldness?

Where do I need to step forward instead of shrinking back?

Choose one action that reflects belief that God is for you.

Faith becomes real when it moves into behavior.

Step 5: Build Daily Relational Awareness

Throughout the day, repeat:

“God is for me.”

Let that phrase interrupt anxious thinking.

Let it reshape self-doubt.

Let it become a steady reminder of relational security.

Over time, repetition builds confidence — and confidence deepens intimacy.

How This Builds a Personal Relationship with God

Relationship grows where trust grows.

If you secretly believe God is disappointed in you, you will pray cautiously.

If you believe He is distant, you will approach Him infrequently.

If you think He is neutral, you will rely on yourself.

But when you believe He is actively for you:

You pray more openly.
You confess more freely.
You surrender more confidently.
You obey more courageously.

Trust transforms the tone of your relationship.

Romans 8:31 strengthens the foundation of that trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Romans 8:31 mean in personal terms?
It declares that God’s active support and favor outweigh any opposition or hardship you face.

Does this verse promise protection from difficulty?
No. It promises relational security within difficulty.

How is God “for me”?
Through Christ’s sacrifice, the Spirit’s presence, His promises, and His ongoing work in your life.

Why do I sometimes feel like God is against me?
Emotions can distort perception. Returning to Scripture realigns belief with truth.

How can journaling strengthen my confidence in this verse?
Writing clarifies fear, exposes false narratives, and allows you to intentionally respond with trust.

How does this verse help build intimacy with God?
It reshapes your understanding of His character. Intimacy grows when you trust His heart toward you.

Living in Relational Confidence

Romans 8:31 is not motivational. It is relational assurance.

The more convinced you become that God is for you, the less fear governs your life.

Confidence is not arrogance.
It is relational security.

And relational security produces peace.