Is God Really Good?
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. Lamentations 3:32–33 (NIV)
Joni Eareckson Tada grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in a tight-knit Christian family. But her carefree life was about to change dramatically. When she is seventeen, she goes with her sister and some friends to swim in the Chesapeake Bay. There was lots of fun and laughter as Joni dives off a wooden raft into the water. But the atmosphere changes when they realise that Joni is not resurfacing. She is rushed to the hospital, where she is given the devastating news. The damage to her spine is irreversible. She is destined to be a quadriplegic and spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
Joni’s life is turned upside down. She plunges into a deep depression as her anger and bitterness overwhelm her. She doubts God’s love for her, his goodness and even His very existence. With the help of family and friends, she slowly comes to terms with her situation. She starts seeking God again. She wrestles with Him as she tries to make sense of what has happened to her. During this time of wrestling with God, her friend, Steve, makes this wise remark, “God permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves.”
God indeed hates to see us suffering. But because of His great love and compassion for us, He will turn it around, for our good. He will do it if we yield to Him and allow Him to have full control over our lives.
God’s Wise & Good Decrees
When we go through suffering and hardships, we may question whether God is good. Why would a God of love permit this to happen to us? These may have been some of the questions that went through Joni’s mind as she was reflecting on why God allowed the diving accident on that fateful day. This is what she wrote in an article years later,
“But whatever scenario played out that day in the heavenlies does not ultimately matter. I know I’m safe because God’s wise and good decrees were overarching.”
We will all experience suffering and sorrow.. But this does not mean that God is not Good. God is still good when our children drift away from the Lord. He is still good when the diagnosis we receive from the doctor throws our lives upside down. He is still good when our company retrenches us. He is still good when we find ourselves in dire financial circumstances.
When this happens, we may ask, “Why God?” Perhaps our question should be, “What are the good things a good God wants to accomplish in me? In this situation?” God’s goodness will never fail us. He will, in His love and wisdom, fulfil His good purpose for us – even in our hardships and suffering.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)
Reflection:
Are life’s difficulties causing you to doubt God’s goodness? Trust our good God. He is in control.
Prayer:
Lord, You see my doubts and fears. I give them to You. Help me to trust that You are still good. Help me to trust that You will fulfil Your good purposes for me through these hardships. In Jesus’ name, amen.
