– By Lori Benka

How often do we go through life forgetting to recognize the goodness of God? It’s so easy to shout and give praise to God when life is going easy, but what about the times when life isn’t going according to our plans?

More often than we like to admit, we often judge our relationship with God based on how well our lives are going. During times of ease, we can be carefree Christians, believing everything is going according to plan. However, when life presents challenges or setbacks, our faith can waver. We may become discouraged, fearful, and even angry at God, questioning why He hasn’t intervened.

This pattern of emotional ups and downs can significantly impact the depth and consistency of our spiritual connection with God.

The Goodness of God in His Plans

When trials come and cause our lives to shift, we need to recall Isaiah 55:8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

I’ll never forget the time a nurse called me and quoted this scripture to me. I was getting ready to have another surgery for my endometriosis and I was afraid and nervous because my first surgery had a couple complications. So to say I had peace was an understatement. I could not find peace and I was going to cancel the surgery because my fearful thoughts were running rampant. I was praying to God to heal me, but nothing was happening.

The day before my surgery, the young nurse called me and asked me how I was doing. As I told her my fears and anxieties, she quoted the above verse to me. I finally had a breakthrough and the peace of God began to flood my anxious heart.

You see, even though I wanted God to heal me, I still witnessed His goodness in the midst of my circumstance because I received His peace that passes all understanding. I don’t know why I had to keep walking through that storm, and I may never know the answer this side of heaven. All that I do know is God is good no matter what our circumstances may say.

The Truth About the Goodness of God

If we can look back and recall everything God has brought us through, we can become more aware of His presence and protection in our lives. Our eyes can become open to see He is always working on our behalf and has our best interests at heart. Psalm 34:19 AMP says:

“Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, but the Lord rescues him from them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”

God is aware of every intimate detail of our lives. He knows every hurt, fear, and perplexing circumstance that has happened or ever will happen. We need to remember in the midst of our hardships that our Father is accomplishing an eternal good in each and every one of us that will result in our deliverance.

Romans 8:28 AMP says: “And we know {with great confidence} that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together {as a plan} for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”

Not everything we will go through in life is good, but God is good and He will cause those things that burden us to work out for our good.

As believers, we can stand on these truths about God:

• God is our provider
• He works in His timing
• He is faithful to each and every one of His promises
• His ways are better than our ways
• God is a good, good, Father

Scripture About the Goodness of God

If you are struggling with doubt and wondering where God’s goodness is in your life and circumstances, I encourage you to get into the Word of God and begin to renew your mind. We can’t change a mindset if we continue down the same pathway. We need to dig deep into the Word of God and find scripture we can put to memory. Below, you will find listed several Bible verses about the goodness of God which can be used to help renew your mind when you are feeling like God has forgotten or abandoned you.

Exodus 33:19 “Then the Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you; and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”

Exodus 34:6 “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

1 Chronicles 16:34 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 25:7 “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.”

Psalm 27:13 “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!”

Psalm 31:19 “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”

Psalm 34:8 “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Psalm 86:5 “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all our iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”

Psalm 107:8-9 “Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

Psalm 119:68 “You are good and do good;……..”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

Acts 14:17 “Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for He did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Remembering the Goodness of God

When we are going through trials, we must take our eyes off of our situation and put them back on God. When we do this, a shift occurs in our mindset and we can begin to fill our minds with the promises of God. This will allow us to see our troubles from God’s perspective and not our limited perspectives.

When we get the Word of God planted deep into our hearts, we learn about His loving character. He passionately cares about us and wants to display His goodness in every area of our lives.

Begin to reflect on God’s past faithfulness in your life. Even the smallest blessings can significantly boost your trust in Him. Recall past challenges, such as difficult doctor’s appointments, emotional pain, and moments of deep sorrow. Remember how God guided you through each of these experiences. Knowing that He has been with you in the past can give you confidence that He is good and He cares deeply about you.

Conclusion

So often I have asked the why’s when going through trials or difficult situations. It can be difficult to perceive God’s goodness amidst suffering. Yet, reflecting on my past, I’ve recognized His guiding hand even in the most trying times. God has always been present, supporting and shielding me, even when His nearness was imperceptible.

God is faithful and the goodness of God is running after each and every one of us. He is aware of everything you are going through and He has good plans for your life.

Run into the arms of your loving Father. Find strength and refuge under His wings. Read your Bible and learn about His character. He loves you and can’t wait to shower His goodness upon your life.

If you are going through a battle and can’t see the goodness of God in your life, repeat this prayer:

Father, I don’t understand why I am going through this, but please open my eyes so that I can see Your goodness in my situation. Help me to say as David said that “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Thank you for loving me and taking good care of me. I surrender everything to you and trust that You will see me through and I will rejoice again. Amen

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