Finding Joy In Today

I have to admit, it has been very hard for me to come up with something to write about this week. I have prayed and asked God what He would like to tell people and I am still having a hard time finding the words. And to add to the brain fog, I have a mild concussion from tripping over my German Shepherd and falling on my face. Yes, I am a klutz. You would think that I would have seen a 100 pound dog lying on the floor but, nope, not me. I now know what it feels like to fall in slow motion and have the realization that there is absolutely nothing I could do to save myself pain, agony, and defeat. The first battle wound was my chin and jaw, then my tooth, and finally my head. Afraid to get up on my own, I called out to my husband who came running to access the situation. As I sat there in shock, I began to feel each body part to make sure it was still working. I began to open my mouth and realized my jaw wasn’t broken. Then I asked him to look at my tooth to see if it broke. I think I feared a broken tooth more than a broken jaw. He told me it was all in tact and everything looked good. As he helped me up everything felt a little “off.” My head felt really fuzzy. While I sat in my favorite chair with an ice pack on my jaw, I realized how blessed I was. These injuries should have been so much worse but God had protected me. yes, there was some discomfort, but nothing was broken and I never lost consciousness. God was there even in the midst of my own negligence.

So often throughout my life I have questioned God’s protection and God’s goodness when I have gone through hardships or trials. I have asked the whys and used my own reasoning and understanding to try to figure things out. I have allowed myself to wallow in fear and worry because I thought I was all alone in the battle. But looking back, I can see the hand of God even in the darkest moments of my life. He was always there holding me and protecting me when I couldn’t see or feel His goodness working in my life.  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 knows every intimate detail of our lives. He is aware of every hurt, fear, and perplexing circumstance that has happened or ever will happen. We need to remember in the midst of our hardships 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. He is into every intricate detail of our lives. When we see only chaos and strife, He sees a beautiful masterpiece. Our pain is not wasted. He can turn our ashes into beauty, and our mourning into gladness. He is such a good, good Father.

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 that 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 or abandoned you.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT GOD’S GOODNESS

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, 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 86:5

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

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 your 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 eagle’s.

Psalm 107:8-9(NKJV)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 119:68 

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

Psalm 145:17

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

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.

Acts 14:17

Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

We need to get the Word of God planted deep into our hearts and minds and learn about His loving character. God doesn’t hate us. He is not sitting up in heaven determining how to make our lives miserable. He passionately cares about us and wants to display His goodness in each and every one of our lives. He is a faithful Father who loves His children and can’t wait to bless us.

I posted a link to one of my favorite songs which talks about the goodness of God. Listen to it and allow the words to sweep over your heart and your mind.

Even when we can’t see God’s goodness manifested in our situations, He is still good. He is a Faithful Father who carries us in His loving arms and loves us deeply. Give Him your all today and know that His goodness is running after you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, I don’t understand why I am going through this, but please open my eyes so that I can see Your goodness in my situation. Help me to say as David said that “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Thank you for loving me and taking care of me. I surrender my will to you and I trust you. Amen.