Anchored In Peace

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 would like to admit, we often base our relationship with God 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 begin to 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 consistencyt of our spiritual connection with God.

God’s Good Plans for Us

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

“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 surgery and I was very unsettled and fearful. She could sense that I lost my peace and she began to minister to me. Peace began to fill my anxious heart. Even though I wanted God to heal me, I witnessed His goodness in the midst of my circumstances because I received His peace which passes all understanding and went forward unafraid.

The Truth About God’s Goodness

If we could look back and recall everything God has brought us through, we would become more aware of His presence and protection in our lives. Our eyes would 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 our hurts, fear, and circumstances that have 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 ours
• What He says, He will do
• God is a good, good Father

Verses About God’s Goodness

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 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, 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 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.”

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.”

Remembering God’s Goodness

When we are going through something, we need to 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 perspective.

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. Remember how God guided you through every storm. 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. It can be difficult to perceive God’s goodness in the middle of suffering. Yet, reflecting on my past, I’ve begun to realize His hand has been guiding me even when I can’t see it. God has always been present, supporting and shielding me, even when His nearness wasn’t felt.

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

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 our life.