Good is good all the time and all the time God is good.
So we made the news this past week.
Two major car accidents within hours of each other was big enough news for our little island. Ours was a near head-on collision between our car and another. Both cars totaled. Written off.
In the days that followed, I found myself repeating the words, ‘God is good’, many, many times.
In the Christian community we’re very good at giving God the glory for big and little things. I can hear it playing over and over in my mind as friends greet each other.
Friend: It’s so good to see that your son got over that awful bug. Glad he’s feeling better.
You: Yes, I’m so relieved. God is good!
Friend: I’m so thankful that your mom is in remission.
You: Me too! God is good!
Friend: I heard the good news about your promotion. Congrats, job well done!
You: Thank you. God is good!
Friend: We’re so happy that the adoption came through for you guys.
You: We’re beyond happy. God is so good!
Sure, I have my share of “God is good” stories too, but recently I’ve silently asked the unmentionable question. Would God still be good if the outcome was different?
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If your little boy’s health is ravaged by an unexplained illness, would God still be good?
If your Mom’s cancer doesn’t respond to treatment, would God still be good?
If your dreams have been dashed, would God still be good?
If the adoption process fails to produce a baby for you to hold, would God still be good?
A Little too Close to Home
And, what if the car crash that made the evening news ended differently? Would God still be good?
I ask myself the question and my heart hurts. Because I want to believe with every fiber of my being that God is good, no matter what the outcome is.
But deep down, I know that my faith is being stretched before the challenge even comes.
And so I turn to the one place where words never fail. To God’s word. And I allow His words to speak truth to my heart.
God is good all the time
Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him
Romans 8:28 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.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Matthew 28:20 “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Get a free printable of these scriptures to keep as a reminder that God is good.
My prayer is that God’s Word will be my sure foundation when the news isn’t what I hope for. And that I will claim the words of the Don Moen song, God is Good All The Time:
Though I may not understand
All the plans you have for me
My life is in your hands
And through the eyes of faith
I can clearly seeGod is good all the time
He put a song of praise in this heart of mine
God is good all the time
Through the darkest night, His light will shine
God is good, God is good all the timeSee full lyrics here.
And all the time God is good
My family and I are very grateful that we literally walked away from the accident without any broken bones or major injuries. A trip to the ER and a few hours later we were all resting at home. Sore and bruised but alive and well. All four of us. And the other driver.
The next morning, I was truly overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to wake up and find my kids sleeping soundly in their beds. The story could have easily ended very differently and we could have woken up to a world of grief. Or not at all.
But God was good.
And God is good.
All the time.
He is good when things go well. And He is good when they don’t. Because, as painful as they might be, our troubles are temporary. But God’s goodness lasts forever. No matter what the evening news might tell you.
What about you?
In what ways have you found God to be good? Please share them in the comments to encourage others.
What bad news have you had to face lately? How can you see this through the eyes of a good God?
If you’re having a hard time believing that God is good, I’d love to pray for you. Just reach out in the comments or email me: marva{at}sunsparkleshine{dot}com.
Don’t forget to get a copy of the free printable with all of the scriptures. You’ll want to cling to them when things get tough:
And for a little more encouragement for your soul listen to the song ‘God Is Good All The Time’ here.
Wishing you blessings,
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Another terrific post, Marva! Thank you so much for this encouragement and important reminder. What a miracle that God spared you and your family–and you’re already using that gift to praise and glorify Him! This concept of thankfulness for good and “bad” things is exactly what the Lord has laid on my heart recently. I was preparing a blog post for my own blog on this topic (going live on Monday), when I stumbled across your Grateful Heart series. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll link to your article(s) on this topic, as well!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Jerusha. I had no idea the storm that was brewing when I wrote this post. Now 4 weeks later God is reinforcing this deep truth that He planted in my heart. If it wasn’t for this, I don’t know how I would lift my head above waters. But God remains good. All the time.
And yes, of course, feel free to link to this or the posts in the #GratefulHeart series. I pray that you and your readers will be blessed by them.
Amen, Marva! I love how God prepares us for what we are about to face and gives us the grace we need to face those things, exactly when we need it. I pray that He continues to give you His strength, hope, and peace with the difficulties you’re going through.
Yes, Marva! God is good! Sometimes the hardest things in my life produced the most necessary coping skills in me that I lean on to this day. I’m grateful you shared this beautiful post.
That is such a great perspective to have, Linda. It’s similar to the thinking that says it’s the darkness that makes light possible. Sometimes it can feel like a tough lesson but necessary nonetheless.
Thanks for visiting and being so kind to leave an encouraging comment.
I’m so glad you and your family are safe! So scary! If it weren’t for my faith, I don’t know how I would have gotten through the surgery and aftermath when my 4-yo was permanently paralyzed (from the surgery). I kept singing that silly song from the Rudolph movie that he sang to the abominable snowman, “put one foot in front of the other…”. Step by tiny step, with my hand in God’s hand, never letting go. God IS good. I knew it then, I know it now, 13 years later. My daughter is a healthy, happy, joyful, athletically inclined (still paralyzed) 17 year old. (BTW, she is also adopted from the country of Belarus!)
Wow, Dawna, I’m so glad your faith got you through that time and all the challenges that I’m sure followed. One foot in front of the other is really good advice for those difficult times. Sometimes we can’t imagine how we would make it through but He promises to give just enough strength for the next step.
What a great testimony to learn of your daughter’s strong spirit! I’m really glad we connected and I look forward to seeing you back here soon (on the other side of the page!) 🙂
Marv, as I walked away from the accident scene last week, the words ‘ Everybody is fine, so God is good!’ rang in my ears. Overcome with relief, everyone was saying it. But I kept thinking to myself, what if things turned out differently, would we still say that? I’m so grateful that you wrote this post, and that God has led you into His word for the answers. Thanks for the beautifully reassuring scriptures that help to stretch our faith in a God who is good all the time. So thankful for you, my sister. Hugs and kisses!
I’m really glad we don’t have to answer that question right now, but knowing where our answers lie gives us the hope we need! Thanks so much for being there for us during the very scary situation. I never want to take you for granted, my sister! Much love!.
Marva, this is great. I’ve thought through this question many times…Is God really good if I don’t get the outcome I desire? Thanks for taking us back to the word…the only thing that never fails.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer. His Word never fails! Boy am I happy about that! 🙂
Excellent question Marva. I ask myself the same thing time and time again. I too am being stretched! But the answer is the same, even when my faith is shaken. God is forever good.
God is forever good! That’s the truth that I need to hold on to, Latasha. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know I’m not in this alone. No matter how we struggle, His goodness always wins the battle.
I am so glad you guys are ok!! But you are so right — no matter what happens our God is STILL GOOD. Thank you for this affirming word today, dear sister. I’m so blessed by you.
Thank you, Lauren. I’m glad we’re OK too! 🙂
I appreciate you, my friend and I’m so grateful for the connection we’ve made.
All the time whether I feel it or not . . . God is good! His undeserved grace and mercy and the truth of the future. Wow! I am so thankful you were all safe and I love that you reminded us that God is good in every circumstance. Beautiful post my friend!
You’re so right, Deb. God’s goodness isn’t dependent on how I ‘feel’ — and that’s a good thing. 🙂
I appreciate you stopping by and encouraging us with your kind words.
God is so good to us, even in the midst of trials. There are times when the clouds get too thick that I can’t see His goodness, that’s why I am so grateful for the promises of Scripture. They give us strength to hold on when the storms of life threaten to destroy us, and although we can’t see it in the moment, His goodness sustains us.
Sarah, I think God knew how much we would need hope to hold on to when He gave us His Word. Time and again the Bible ends up being the one true source for our hope! How refreshing His words are!
This is a question I ask myself all.the.time. And I can say – even though it’s hard at times – that yes, no matter what, God is good. Life isn’t always easy, but no matter what our circumstances, God is good, and He is there with us, and Eternity spent with Him will make all of these “light afflictions” fade in the light of His glory.
Glad to know I’m not alone and thanks for that perspective, Julie. Our troubles are really “light afflictions” compared to eternity. It’s a hard thing to hear at times but I recall today’s First 5 devotion which in reminding us that God is good, also encouraged us to discuss the hard things and not shy away from them. Thanks for being a part of the discussion!
I’m so glad you and your family are okay! And what a thought provoking post! I think of the story of Job when I attempt to answer your harder questions. I tend not to want to think about the hard questions.. but I’m also reminded of my husband’s friend who is a Holocaust survivor who recently spoke at a banquet..the last thing she said was “God is Good”..just sent the audience into a roaring standing ovation!
That’s exactly it, Kathy. How can someone go through the Holocaust and yet proclaim that “God is good”? It’s because God’s goodness outweighs the bad, isn’t it? Like you, I’d rather leave the tough questions to someone else but God has a way of stretching me when I’d rather not be. He’s “good” like that. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. By the way, I loved your piece on sacred rest today!
I heard of a story once where a client’s mantra was “God is good!” no matter what she was going through. Mine is “It’s going to be okay,” which is a little more gentle when I hear God whisper it to me whenever I am feeling overwhelmed by news I would rather not have. It’s what I heard when I went through a heart wrenching time of rejection. Our world isn’t so good, but God is good! And we have another place in the eternal which is perfectly good, don’t we?
Lynn, I love your mantra and the fact that it reminds you that it’s all going to work out in the end. Plus I really appreciate the perspective you shared — an eternal place that is “perfectly good”. Now that’s something to look forward to!
Thanks for stopping by today and sharing your sparkle with us.
Marva, I guess this subject is on God’s heart this week! I wrote a post with the same title and message! I think Jesus wants to take the message of the Father’s goodness deep into our hearts. I am so glad that you and your loved ones are safe. And, yes… God is good all the time! Hugs!
Imagine that, Wendy! God is really working His message through our hearts and spreading it to others. Of course, I don’t believe in coincidences so I’m just amazed at His timing having both our posts with similar lines, even some of the same scriptures posted on the same day.
I’m so glad you’re OK and still rejoicing in God’s goodness. I’m sharing your link here for others to be blessed as well: http://www.blessedunravelling.com/god-good-time/
Great words! I love how transparent you were about what you experienced. It’s so traumatizing to be in an accident like that. Thank you for sharing this. I am grateful that you were all safe. But you’re right. We do serve a God who always has his plan. And that sometimes means we have to endure hardship and loss because we live in a fallen world. But we have the assurance of one day not having any of that in heaven where there is no sin! 🤗🙏🏼 That brings me so much peace. God Bless you. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Shi Marie. I agree that struggles will come and I pray that I will always believe that God is good, no matter how difficult things get. That’s my hope for all of us. <3
I've been enjoying your inspirational videos on your site. I love that you're inspiring others to pursue their God-given purpose. Keep up the good work and keep doing awesome things for Christ!