I recently wrote an article called “Is God Really Good?” Of course He is! But sometimes we question His goodness when we see situations that God could have prevented, but didn’t …or when we experience pain we know He is fully capable of taking away, but doesn’t.
As I was writing that article (which you can read here), I found so many Scriptural references as to why God is good. For instance:
- He found a way to rescue us, in spite of our choosing sin over Him (Romans 5:6-8).
- He’s a good, compassionate, and generous Father (Psalm 103:13-14; Matthew 7:11).
- He knows what’s best for us eternally (Psalm 84:11).
- He works in the midst of our failures (Romans 8:28).
But, as I wrote that article, I never even got to the personal level of the many things God has done for you and me to show us He is there, to rescue us in the knick of time, to bless us when we need it most. We know God is good because His Word says He is — even when circumstances don’t feel like it. But what about the amazing things that He gives us?
- What about our health and our life and simply having air to breathe?
- What about the days we can get up and walk on our feet and not experience pain?
- What about the days we can tell those around us we love them and they are still here in our lives?
I really believe if we focused on the many amazing things that God has given us… things we don’t deserve… it would cause us to quit looking at our disappointments and the things we think God is not doing and it would motivate us to live out the rest of our days in praise.
I challenge you, my dear friend, to stop questioning the goodness and trustworthiness of God in light of the circumstances you don’t understand and to start thanking Him for all the incredible things He’s done.
Think right now of one, two, or even three things that are evidence of God’s goodness in your life. If you’re going through a difficult season of life right now it might be hard to think of something at first. But consider that the God of the Universe is not obligated to do anything for us, and then you may begin to realize how very much He has shown His love for you already.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Go ahead. Live out His will for your life by thanking Him in all things, even the difficult things. And I’d love if you’d list below just one thing He’s given you that convinces you that He is truly good. I’m sure it will encourage me and anyone else reading this.
(For more on understanding and relishing the goodness of God, see my book, When God Pursues a Woman’s Heart, now on sale for just $9.99 each (plus shipping) through the end of July only.)
His Mercy and love that fail not and are new every morning. He gave me faith by His word that helps me to live through my season of trials and difficulties.
For me, difficulty or trials, rain or sun, God is good and His goodness and mercy endure forever in my life.
I give Him the praise for everything in my life right now. He is working for my own good, I am grateful and let God continue to discipline me in His own good plan for my life, In Jesus Name. Amen
Thank you for your encouraging praise of our Heavenly Father in spite of the difficulties you are facing right now. 🙂
My family.
God’s Timing is always perfect, in every circumstance, and I cannot emphasize that enough. In my own personal life He has always gotten there either immediately when I needed Him or right in the “Knick of time,” when my circumstances looked grim or hopeless! I thank our Lord for His great love and never abandoning us!
Amen!
He encourages me every day either through your weekly post or the ones you and the dear ladies send me daily. It never fails to touch on something I’m dealing with.
Good to hear from you Vicky. You’ve become a friend through your responses to both my blogs and the daily posts on Arise Daily. I’m thankful and encouraged that you have been encouraged daily through what God has given us to write. Thank you for your encouragement, once again.
My beloved mom went to heaven July first, only weeks ago! Watching her die was a blessing & a trial. I’m grateful for the time God gave us & yet I’ve been questioning why he let her linger, in pain & longing, to be with him in heaven. I still don’t understand but God has been with me during the worst & I know he has great plans for good to come out of this trial! I’m grateful that he is with me as I continue to walk in faith and belief in who I am, a child of the most high God❣️ I know I’ll see my mom again & until that day I will praise God, for I know his mercies are new every morning🕊
Thank you, Terry, for that beautiful testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God. At times we DON’T understand why He doesn’t do things the way we would’ve preferred, but we can rest in the fact that His timing is perfect….and ALL His ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30). Thank you for such an encouraging comment that shows you are in a beautiful place in your relationship with God right now, even despite your heartbreaking loss. Praise God we have hope in Him and the eternal life He gives us through our faith in Jesus so that death is not an ending….just a temporary separation.
The lord saved me from suicide, he told me, while I was smoking a cigarette that I was under Satan’s power, then gave me the grace to quit right in the middle of smoking a cigarette, that was 26 years ago and I am so grateful to Him, he even took away any lingering desire for a smoke. Praise God
That’s a wonderful story, Monica. I’ve heard that breaking the nicotine habit is among the very hardest of addictions to break. Thanks for sharing the power of God to break that stronghold in your life. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
God has blessed me with three beautiful daughters. Even though I am a single mother i can attest to his goodness as I see so many women around me who wish they could have children.
Yes, from someone who was able to have only one child — a previous daughter— I agree with you. Children are truly a gift from God, not something we achieved on our own. 🙂
I thank God that even when I have messed up, God has used the situation for His Glory. I got pregnant at a very early age whilst I was in Church. God in His awesome power chose to annoint the very child that I had out of wedlock and has used him immensely for His kingdom. I am in awe that God would even consider blessing me with a child, yet alone turning my young son into an annointed vessel!!!
I love you God and thank you for loving and blessing me, even when I don’t deserve it.
Viv, thank you for that beautiful story and reminder of God’s redemption. That makes me think of some of the anointed ones we read about in the Bible. Thank you for sharing with us a reminder of another reason why God is good. 🙂