Goodness. Where can we see His goodness? With four children, I see glimpses of God’s goodness every day. I see it in their innocence and I hear it in the joy of their laughter. I see it in their impish smiles and the freedom they have to run and play. I see it in the love my husband has for me and how he serves our family. However, my heart also weighs heavy from burdens of friends and family. Can they see God’s goodness in their lives?
It is hard to think about the good things in life when faced with the toughest challenges one has ever experienced: separation and divorce, chronic pain and illness, the death of a loved one, losing a home, losing a job, a child in jail, a child diagnosed with special needs or a debilitating disease, or a family member trying to end their own life. When life’s circumstances become overwhelming, how hard is it to see God in the midst of the pain? It can seem pretty bleak. I myself have been in some of these places, and I felt like I was drowning. I knew I had to come up for air in order to survive.
How can we see God’s goodness in the midst of our own pain and suffering? I challenge you – stop asking the question “why is God allowing this?” and starting asking “God, how are you using this?” There is power in taking our eyes off of ourselves and looking to Him. When we ask Him to include us in His works amazing things can happen. When we seek to bring him glory, no matter the suffering we are going through, He brings peace to our hearts and brings that refreshing breath of air we so desperately need. He doesn’t want His children to be overwhelmed by the waves of despair. God is our strong foundation and is calling us to look up, keep our hearts and minds on Him, and He will keep our heads above the waves.
There are times when we have to put one foot in front of the other to survive. Or take one breath at a time. Invite Him to guide you in that step, and to help you take that next breath. My dear brothers and sisters, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). My heart is that you would find a new breath today, no matter what you are going through. Lift your eyes toward heaven, that you might see His goodness in life around you!
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
