Godly Gals ~ Ava Pennington
Is God Ever Not Good?
By: Ava Pennington
A friend recently had successful cancer surgery. When she joyfully announced the results, the responses were positive and predictable:
– God is good!
– God truly answers prayer!
– God really loves you!
– God is an awesome God!
We rejoiced in her prognosis because we understood the magnitude of what might have been.
Still, our collective responses started me wondering. What if God had not extended His hand of mercy to her? What if the surgery had not been successful? What if the cancer had spread? Would we still say:
– God is good!
– God truly answers prayer!
– God really loves you!
– God is an awesome God!
…or would we shake our fists at heaven and doubt God’s goodness?
The prophet Habakkuk wrote:
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Today, we might say:
Though the cancer is not healed
and I can’t pay my mortgage,
though my marriage has failed
and the economy produces no jobs,
though there are no book contracts in the offing
and no agents who want to represent me,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
No matter what happens, God is good.
Whether we understand our circumstances or not, God is good.
Whether we can serve Him the way we want or not, God is good.
Whether our days are difficult or easy, God is good.
Do you believe this—truly believe this in the midst of your present circumstances?
Believe it in your heart and speak it aloud because it’s true:
God is good, all the time.
And all the time, God is good.
I hope you’re not experiencing anything today that is causing you to doubt God’s goodness. But if you are, what will you do with your doubts?
– God is good!
– God truly answers prayer!
– God really loves you!
– God is an awesome God!
We rejoiced in her prognosis because we understood the magnitude of what might have been.
Still, our collective responses started me wondering. What if God had not extended His hand of mercy to her? What if the surgery had not been successful? What if the cancer had spread? Would we still say:
– God is good!
– God truly answers prayer!
– God really loves you!
– God is an awesome God!
…or would we shake our fists at heaven and doubt God’s goodness?
The prophet Habakkuk wrote:
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Today, we might say:
Though the cancer is not healed
and I can’t pay my mortgage,
though my marriage has failed
and the economy produces no jobs,
though there are no book contracts in the offing
and no agents who want to represent me,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
No matter what happens, God is good.
Whether we understand our circumstances or not, God is good.
Whether we can serve Him the way we want or not, God is good.
Whether our days are difficult or easy, God is good.
Do you believe this—truly believe this in the midst of your present circumstances?
Believe it in your heart and speak it aloud because it’s true:
God is good, all the time.
And all the time, God is good.
I hope you’re not experiencing anything today that is causing you to doubt God’s goodness. But if you are, what will you do with your doubts?
Ava Pennington is the author of One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell, 2010) and co-author of Faith Basics for Kids (Standard Publishing, January 2011). She is also a passionate speaker and teacher. She is married to the love of her life for 32 years and she is “mom” to two rescue boxers who have trained her well! Check out her blog found on her website www.AvaWrites.com
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What a great and timely reminder Ava! Thank you so much for joining us today for Godly Gals! I love watching REAL women use their gifts for His glory and you are doing a fantastic job!
So many incredible women, touching stories, gentle reminders and transparent friends…this is truly what the heart of Godly Gals is all about…Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith in action!
Thank you for stopping by each Thursday to see these women “take their everyday, ordinary lives and place it as their offering to God.”
What a gift each of them are…just like YOU!
Sweet Sister…if you have ever thought about sending something in for the Godly Gals series, then can I ask you what you are waiting for?
You have a story to share and we’d love to hear it!
Send me an email at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com and I’ll send you a copy of the submission guidelines.
Right now I’m scheduling posts for February and March 2011…I’d love to have you on that list!
