Life might be a highway, but it's definitely not a straight stretch of ribbon! It's sometimes more like a roller coaster moving through the dark--sometimes slow, sometimes fast, sometimes high, sometimes low - don't you think?
One day you wake up with a big smile on your face. Life. Is. Good.
Little, simple things bring you joy.
You received the news you had been waiting for.
You feel good. You have purpose.
All is well in your little world.
In fact, you feel on top of the world.
God is good! you say.
Then you hear that bit of disappointing or confusing news.
Or you read something tragic and scary in your news feed or in your local newspaper.
Or you wonder if your life is making a difference, because it sure doesn't feel like it.
Or your physical health isn't optimum, and productivity is a thing of the past.
Is God still good? you wonder
Or you just seem to be coming up against the same struggles and nothing ever seems to change, even though you have hope and faith.
And you start thinking about the future. Tomorrow and the hundreds upon hundreds of tomorrows which may follow and what they are going to look like. How uncontrollable the future really is.
You read more about horrible events in the world with no quick solutions in sight.
And you worry.
Is God still good? you ponder
Then you receive a hopeful word.
You have the most encouraging time with friends.
Their prayers are being answered!
Your prayers are being answered!
Changes are happening.
And the sun is shining again.
And all seems well with the world.
Isn't God good! you say
And then your heart breaks for your friend, who just shared something hard with you.
And there are no easy fixes.
It's complicated.
Tragedy strikes.
And personal dreams shatter.
Is God still good? you ask yourself
And there aren't any wise little sayings or pithy quotes that are going to really make a difference.
All you can do is trust, wait and learn to see in the dark.
And believe,
simply (but often not easily)
believe
that
God is always good.
Oh, Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief.
It takes incredible faith to say "God is good all the time; all the time God is good" even in the midst of tragedies, pain, and sadness. Job is a good example that he got it with praising God even in the midst of a storm. May we all strive to be like that.
ReplyDeletebetty
Oh yes He is good because no matter the situation He is there. Once we realize there is evil in this world and that bad things happen we can then sit in assurance knowing that God is moving in and through the pain. It may be painful but it is in the midst of the storm that our love grows deeper, our understanding broadens, trust in the hard times is hard, but I can tell you it is rewarded when we focus on Him and not the issue. Praying for you and your friend.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. The ups and downs. That I would remain faithful, but it's so hard. I tell the Lord that I'd love to see His face. I realize He's everywhere, but to actually see His face would be wild. The hidden parts of life are the hard parts for me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, just what I needed. Thanks
ReplyDelete