Is God Good?

Photo by Arwan Sutanto on Unsplash

Why do bad things happen to good people?

This has been a question circulating for so many years.

I think there are two major assumptions being made. And unpacking them will completely change our perspective.

The First Assumption

The first assumption is that bad things happen. And I can agree that bad things do happen, but I also think that—sometimes—our definition of “bad” is out of proportion.

I am not denying the existence of tragedy, but merely wondering if there is a purpose behind it.

Maybe God is not changing the situation, because He is using the situation to change you.

So, maybe, the “bad” things have equal value as the “good” things. Maybe the trails, rock-and-hard-a-place, wearisome circumstances, and stretching situations are actually growing us more than the seasons of blessings. Maybe, God does His biggest works in our lives, when we are stretched thin, falling to pieces, and desperate for relief.

That is revolutionary.

To assume that God is working most profoundly when our knees are most wore out from praying.

Maybe that is why we are encouraged to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Oh, what a drastic perspective change we would have if we thanked God for the opportunity to grow. And thanked Him for not wasting the pain. And for being with us through it all. I think it would make all the difference.

The Second Assumption

The second assumption places humanity on the side of good. But that is not an accurate depiction of reality.

All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. -Psalm 14:3

Really, no one is “good”.

so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. -Titus 3:7

The only way for us to become right with God is through the blood of His Son and the grace that He lavishes over us. There is no other way.

What we “deserve” is to go to Hell. We deserve nothing else. So, how can we be so intitled as to demand easy and carefree lives for ourselves.

Jesus is the ONLY one to ever walk the earth perfectly. There is no one else who ever came close. Yet He suffered most of all. If God did not spare even His own Son from suffering—and Him most deserving of sparing—why do demand our own reprieve?

And still, God is good.

Can God be Good Even While Letting Us Suffer?

Yes.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. -Mark 10:18

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. -1 John 4:8

God is the very definition of love and goodness. Nothing else perfectly puts them into perspective except Him.

To circle back to the first assumption: God is using the hardest situations to strengthen you.

It is not unloving or wicked of Him to grow you into becoming more like Christ. Because in those desperate sessions, we cling to God more closely. We seek Him more fervently, cry out to Him more frequently, and see our need for Him more urgently.

Suffering is in the world because humans have freewill.

“Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” -C. S. Lewis

I found some verses that reassured me of God’s goodness that I wanted to share, and I really encourage you to read, copy, write on a sticky-note-somewhere, these passages:

• Psalm 34:8

• Psalm 86:5

• Psalm 73:1

• Mark 10:18

• Luke 18:19

• Romans 12:2

• 3 John 1:11

• Psalm 119:68

• Matthew 19:17

• John 10:11

• 1 Peter 2:3

Even when it does not feel good, it will be worked out for good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

And even when God allows things that do not seem good, they are the best.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; -Lamentations 3:25

Corrie ten Boom wrote a poem title “Life is But a Weaving” that I wanted to leave you with:

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.