When I think about the goodness of God and look back and see His hand over every situation I have ever faced, I often wonder why didn’t I get it. Why didn’t I go to Him first? When I turn to Jesus, He immediately comforts me, gives me His peace, and changes my perspective.
No matter what, God is good and He is faithful. When things don’t go exactly as I hoped they would, I’m reminded that God‘s word says, “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.” ~ Isaiah 55:8–9
He also reminds us that “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.“ ~ Proverbs 16:9. So everything happens for a reason and according to His purposes.
If we live in a posture of gratitude toward God and others, we can look at any situation and find the good in it. When we are totally devastated by the pains in this life, we can certainly know God is in our midst. He never leaves us. When He is quiet, it’s usually us who have lost our ability to listen. He’s in the quiet, not the chaos.
So when life deals out a bad hand, so to speak, let’s always remember to thank God in every situation. He always has a plan, and “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28
In Hebrew culture, the word Dayenu meant “it would have been enough”. The Dayenu was typically sung during the telling of the story of the Exodus at the Passover Seder. It was short and told of the goodness of God and how His gifts were enough; even if He had only done part of them, they were still enough. During the Passover Seder, the Jewish people shared moments of what God did for them and told how it was more than enough.
I can recount multiple times in my life when God did amazing things, and I want to always recognize this and thank Him for it. It takes a lot of practice to see the good in everything, because sometimes we just have to believe that there is a higher purpose for certain pain, but we serve the One who holds the whole world in His hands, so I think it’s safe to say, “He’s got this!”
So when the next trial comes along, stop and listen to God, ask Him, “What am I to learn in this and help me to see the good in it. Help me to know that You are always good, faithful, and You want me to live with a heart of gratitude and peace.”
When things don’t go exactly like we hoped they would -“even if” God has a completely different plan:
“Yet I will triumph in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!“ ~ Habakkuk 3:18
“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall see of Your righteousness.” ~ Psalm 145:5-7
“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 107:8-9
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” ~ Nahum 1:7