I like this but I am uncertain if I agree or not, will you elaborate a bit?
Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite verses and the second part of your statement I definitely agree with but the first seems to be the same.
I don't have much experience with an unsaved past...unless the moment I accepted Jesus as my savior wasn't the "actual" moment of salvation (which I am open to that being the case). So I suppose it is difficult for me as I've seen the Lord in pretty much everything for most of my life, but it could be I "read" him into everything in a way that isn't correct somehow. Lately I've been wondering if we "can" do that at least. A well meaning error but still potential error. Thoughts?
Perhaps a simple illustration will help...
A boy is subjected to constant bullying, abuse, and humiliation throughout his childhood. That's not from God. After he is saved, he brings his past to God, Who builds compassion in him, and leads him to a career in victim services.
If we attribute the childhood abuse to God, we are calling Him evil, and embracing the idea that the ends justify the means. I see Romans 8:28 as saying that God
can use anyone because He can redeem their past, but He is not the author of the junk we endure in life.