God Knows

I've been struggling lately with the idea of God being good. I KNOW He is, but FEELING like He is good is another thing. It is so hard to trust when you do not feel something. I know, I know. That is what faith is all about. But lately I've found myself struggling in the self-pity "If, Then" statements with God...

If God is good, then he wouldn't let me hurt.

If God was good, then he wouldn't allow me to be lonely.

If God was good, then he would give me a super sweet class.

If God was good, then he would help me be successful in teaching.

If God was good, then he would provide laughter like I used to have.

If God was good, then he would give me the desires of my heart...

blah, blah, blah...

My good friend, Noelle, put together this wonderful gift for me- a personalized calendar. It's perfectly wonderful! This quote is what was written on August 21st...

"Adam and Eve didn't meet right away... God new Adam was lonely or incomplete or however you want to say it, but God did not create Eve directly after he stated Adam was lonely... He did not give Adam what he needed immediately. He waited. He told Adam to name the animals... I looked up how many animals there are in the world, and it turns out that there are between ten million and one hundred million different species... and Adam, apparently, had to name all of them. And the entire time, he was lonely." - Searching for God Knows What, by Donald Miller

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. - Psalm 147:3-5

Who am I to expect God to do things in my timing and totally in the way that I think they should be done. He knows what I need. He knows where I need to go. It's His timing, not mine.

And really, there are no "if's" about God being good.

"You are good and you do good. Teach me your statues." Psalm 119:68

"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely." Psalm 135:3

"How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, which Though has wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men!" Psalm 31:19

"No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly" Psalm 84:11

"The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works... The eyes of all look to Thee, and Thou does give them their food in due time. Thou does open Thy hand, and dost satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145: 9, 15-16

God is good, and I trust him in guiding my life.

God is good, and I trust that his blessings, no matter what they are, are what I want.

God is good, and I trust his timing is good.

Today I choose to believe that God is good. His plans are good. His ways are good. I believe He loves his children, and wants me close to him. God knows what I need. He knows this healing and waiting process is what I need. And if it is from Him... it is good. God knows what I need, and what He gives, is so good.