It’s logical to think if I do this or that, then I’ll get certain results. In those times when it appears as if we’re checking off all the boxes but no outcome is showing up, it’s hard to say God is good.
Because we’ve been taught the more work we put into something the better results we will get. While God does encourage hard work, he doesn’t encourage us to work randomly without purpose.
1 Corinthians 9:26 says, “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” It’s in areas and doors God opens that we flourish and give our best work.
But when doors aren’t opening, and it seems like our best is not good enough to take us to the next season, the waiting lengthens. If we’re brutally honest, those times make us want to run from God and do things our own way, but then we remember what the word tells us: Do not get tired of doing good!
This waiting and evaluation period of life is draining us, stripping our smiles, and shattering our dreams, but the truth is that…
No matter our feelings, God is good.
If nothing works out for me, God is still good, and that should be the true focus.
If we begin losing vision of who we’re following, and instead we feel like we’re wondering, knocking on doors that won’t open, let’s remember that God is still good. We may have planned our goals, but Proverbs 16:9 says
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
In these times when we fear the future because the present isn’t secure, we need to make sure God’s words are louder than our thoughts. We need to focus on his goodness, rather than our situation. Let’s remember that our thoughts are simply opinions that will change by tomorrow, but God’s goodness is a truth that will stand forever.
While we may not see our end, we can trust that our ending will be great.
Make God’s words louder than your thoughts
All we can do at the end of the day is put our complete hope and faith in God. When nothing else seems to work, we must allow God to re-direct our path and thinking. This season is simply forcing us to look at ourselves in the mirror and see who we truly rely on.
If we haven’t relied completely on God — this is the time to do it. He is trustworthy and good. His word says that his love will be present forever. Even when he appears far away, we can trust that he isn’t.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6
Although we may not see it from our perspective, but God has us right where we’re supposed to be. This season is no surprise to God. What we may see as a dark situation is light to him.
Psalm 139:12 says “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”
It’s better to do it his way than our way. If we decide to step out and do things differently, we will realize it would have been better to wait on God. Trust that he will do it.
His goodness is not divided among a specific group of people, but he extends it to all of us. When we begin to feel like victims of the events of life, let’s remember God has no favorites and his goodness also falls on us. After all, we are his creation, his people, the ones he loves.
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:9
Take a look back
If our eyes are blinded from seeing God’s goodness, we should look back and see how he showed up in times we couldn’t do it alone. Think back on those days you received opportunities beyond your skills or favor when you didn’t deserve it. Those gifts came from God.
James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Surely, God can do it again.
“’No one is good–except God alone.’”
Mark 10:18
We don’t have to wish to be lucky or to covet a different life. We don’t have to pray harder or act more spiritually to earn God’s checkmark and receive something good.
His word says God wants to give us good gifts, and we have every right to request good things for our life and others.
Matthew 7:11 says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
While it may feel like God has abandoned our requests because we don’t see his favor, it doesn’t change his character. Our temporary lows don’t define God’s goodness. While we’re waiting, we can dream big and continue to have big hopes because God is good. It’s just a matter of time. For now, let’s focus on seeking him more than changing our situation.
Prayer for good gifts
Dear Lord,
We thank you for the good gifts you’ve already given us. From our ability to breathe to when you’ve given us favor. We even thank you for this hard season of closed doors. We know that your goodness is not conditional to our performance, feelings or beliefs. Your goodness speaks louder than our thoughts. Your words are true and that’s why we trust that our current situation is not our ending. We know you’re not done with us, yet.
Your word says that you give good gifts to your children, so we ask you to give us wisdom, fresh ideas, and open doors that only you can open. Give us the ability to endure and run in the path you’ve written for us, not one we’ve made up. We ask you to fill us with joy and establish our steps. Allow us to experience your goodness here on Earth. In the name of Jesus, Amen.