The world that we live in today is so far from what God had created in the beginning. It is heartbreaking to see the stark contrast of how the Garden of Eden was painted in the account in Genesis to all of a sudden having natural disasters, war-torn countries, and hearing the cry of the oppressed and victims of injustice.
When sin entered the world, destruction was at its wake. But does that dispute the goodness of God? No. Are we hopeless? No. God demonstrated that His goodness triumphs all when He sent Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf. Our victory personified.
There are times that what we think is the “better” way doesn’t necessarily align with what God has in mind, most especially in difficult situations such as suffering a loss or going through personal difficulties or trials. But the one thing that I always keep reminding myself when my prayers aren’t getting answered the way I want them to be answered is that,
- Maybe the thing I’m praying for isn’t for me,
- Maybe God has something better in store,
- Maybe God wants me to learn something in the waiting.
These are just some of the maybes and it could be something else entirely! We can’t allow our experience in this world dictate how we see the goodness of God. We might see something in a negative way in the now, when we’re right smack in the middle of it, but God sees throughout eternity and our now is just a small speck of dust compared to what He has already planned. God sees everything from a bird’s eye view and His plans are always good. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
He’s had us in mind even before the foundation of the world, even when He knew of what our fall or setbacks are going to be even before we experience them. We didn’t choose Him. He chose us and called us by His name.
God is always good, no matter what circumstances we have. And His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways. Even when things are beyond our own understanding, declare, “God is good.” We just have to keep trusting and believing. He is always good and He is always faithful, no matter what our track record is. He keeps His covenant for a thousand generations!