“Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)
“God is good all the time.” We see this phrase on social media, T-shirts, plaques, keychains. But is it true? Is God good all the time? What about when the worst thing that could possibly happen in our lives happens, is God still good then?
Can I make a confession to you? There was a time in my life when I really struggled with the thought of God being good all the time. It was after our son Chris was killed in a tragic accident. I asked the question any parent would ask, “If God is good, why did he take Chris from us?” I mean, how good is the loss of a child? The loss of a brother? How good is it that Chris’ wife was now a widow, and our granddaughter would now have to live without her father? Grieving over Chris was the greatest struggle my faith had ever encountered. It was the darkest time of my life. I knew getting over Chris’ death was never going to happen. We could only get through it. But was God good enough to guide us through this grave difficulty?
It has now been over six years since we lost our son. God has taught me much in those six years. I have learned that his grace will always go deeper than any pain or sorrow I could possibly experience. I have learned to be content to live life where it is, not where I want it to be. I have learned that my weaknesses can be overcome by God’s strength. I have learned how to worship God in the pain life brings. And yes, I have learned that God is good – all the time.
We have a tendency to separate things into the categories of good and bad. If we like something, we label it good. If we don’t like something, we label it bad. Yet the bible clearly tells us in Romans 8:28 that “all things work together for good to those who love God.” We cannot praise God’s goodness only when things are going our way, or we get what we want out of life. Those are blessings, but they do not teach us much about the true goodness of our God.
God’s goodness is real because it is the essence of who he is. Goodness is part of God’s character. It is one of his attributes. Everything about God is good. Everything he creates is good, because it comes from a good God. The weather is good – rain, snow, or sunshine. Creation is good – from a cute cuddly puppy to a not so cuddly ferocious lion. Life is good- no matter what happens because it is the creation of our good God.
Therefore, whether I find myself laughing, crying, rejoicing or sorrowing – God’s goodness is always with me. God is indeed good – all the time!
Darlene