God is Still Good
God is Still Good
This past December my husband and I went to a concert. One of the very first songs one of the musicians played was a song that stuck with me for weeks. Then, all of a sudden, I ran across the same song this past weekend.
It took me back to the moment sitting in the auditorium weeping in my chair in the dark. Our Christmas (and the past six months) have made me weep more than I ever imagined. When I heard this song, I realized some part of me was holding my breath. I wept thinking that God saw me enough to show me that He is indeed good, no matter what happens. Because behind everything that happened to our family this question haunted my heart:
Is God really good?
I wrote a whole book (which comes out this fall) on this very idea that God’s goodness is not tied to our circumstances. But, oh man. When those things happen to us, beyond our control, our wayward hearts wonder, can God really be good?
Maybe you’ve never questioned God’s goodness, but I know I have. If you have, can I offer a little bit of hope and light? First of all, don’t ask the question to the universe, ask the question to God. What I mean is – take your question and ask it of God. “God, are you really good?” He can handle our questions. He really can. God is big enough. He is kind enough.
Next, we might not understand, but that’s ok. It is time to reset our minds about God. Let’s approach Him like a child—a child who knows their Father and will run into His arms. Trust Him like a child would a Father. Without condition. Without question. With utter trust.
Also, our faith in God doesn’t have to be big. Jesus said that even the faith of a mustard seed (which is pretty tiny) can move a mountain. It means our belief in God doesn’t rest on how much faith we have – but on who we put our faith in. Is your faith in Jesus? Even with all of the doubts, it’s ok to feel small with your faith.
If you need a reminder, listen to this song. As I hear the words, what strikes me the most is this final thought:
“It may be too good to be understood, but it’s not too good to be true.”
Although it might seem to be untrue, and our circumstances might seem to say that God isn’t good, this is what I want to say: “He may be too good to be understood, but He’s not too good to be true.”
Truth is true and I am so thankful for this amazing comfort in my life. We can’t understand everything, but we can understand this truth: God is good.
If you need some reminders. Read God’s word. Because throughout the Bible God is good. Yes, He punishes sin – but even in His judgment and justice, we find that He is good! I am so thankful for this truth – even when I can’t understand it.
One of my favorite Psalms has been Psalm 25. Here are just a few verses to help remind you of God’s love: