Why is it, Lord, we want all the good and never the bad? Is it just the way you created us? Is it human nature to feel this way? You allow both bad and good each being a part of your divine plan, accomplishing your purposes. Why is it that for us, good always equals blessings and bad always equals curses or hardships? We cannot see with the human eye that with You, Lord– bad could possibly equal blessings, if we would but submit to it, be taught by it, and accept it.
Father, could there be any good in losing all one’s possessions, livelihood, children, and then suffering with sores that cover your whole body, additionally having your wife tell you to curse God and die. Yet, Job did see good in his bad circumstances; in fact, in the end his eyes were opened to see things he had never seen before. “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You…” Job 42:5
I spoke recently with a woman named Ruth who said several years ago her husband lost his job. As a result of that she became very angry with God, so much so that she began to question if she was really saved. At that point, she was not sure she wanted to be a child of a god who would allow such a thing to happen. In working through her anger, she realized that she had always viewed God in the same way she viewed Santa Claus. She would bring her list to Santa, make her requests known and he would deliver everything she asked for right on time.
Then she came to the point of realizing that Isaiah 55:8-11 is true. It tells us that our thoughts are not His thoughts nor are His ways our ways. She also came to see that Romans 8:28 is a promise from God and because He is the God who always keeps His promises, then all things will work together for our good to accomplish His purposes.
Ruth finally came to see her husband’s job loss as good; she surrendered to what God had allowed in her life. She was then able to have the assurance of her salvation and know that the God she served could be trusted. He and He alone would take care of her family. How very helpful this was when just a few years later, her five year old granddaughter, Sydney, would be diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sydney passed away a year later, having told her grandmother of her love for Jesus and her desire to be with Him.
Ruth came to the place of knowing that God hides blessings inside of what to the human eye seems to be something very bad. Just like Ruth, I have come to the place where I can see that good does not always mean blessings and bad does not always mean curses. In God’s economy it is not about good versus bad, blessings versus curses; it is about coming to the place where our eyes are opened to see that His ways are not our ways- but, His ways are always good!
What the Father desires to do in us at what seems to us to be bad times is to refine, remold, and reshape us; He sees what he wants us to be. He will use whatever means it takes to mold us into the child He desires for us to be. Like Job, my eyes have been opened through the bad that God has allowed in my life; Ruth’s eyes were opened, as well. I am grateful that God loves me so much that He chooses my path, knowing what He desires for me to look like in the end. My friend Ruth and I know our God in a way that we would never have known Him if not for the bad times.
Father, Your economic indicator is so different from that of the world. Thank you that in your economy often what we humanly perceive as bad, is filled with abundant spiritual blessings. Help me to accept the good and the bad, knowing you are sovereignly in control of my life.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than the earth, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there. But water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8-11NKJ
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Dianne Dougharty
Memphis, Tennessee
Summer 2010