Questioning Goodness

I don't know about you, though often when I'm asked a question or start my mind thinking on a topic, my brain goes a thousand different directions all at once or within nano-seconds of the initial processing point. As was the case when I was listening to a discussion about how and when we began questioning God's command. Very quickly the root of the problem was brought back thousands of years to Adam and Eve in the garden. How God had given them a perfect and beautiful home. How they were companions designed to complement and complete each other in relationship with God. And then how the day came when the enemy approached Eve in the form of a serpent and through the seeds of doubt he planted; made room for Eve to question God's leading.

I can imagine her thinking for the first time, "I thought the Creator was loving…though now, I think He's hiding something good from us." With every passing moment the doubt grew in her mind and her thinking quickly got tainted from the insertion of that toxic belief.

If Eve was anything like me (which in this moment I venture to guess she was), that seed of doubt set off a cascade of questions and wrong thinking and eventually poor decisions that resulted from that thinking.

Trust in the character of God was compromised. Marred beyond that which would be able to be recovered or repaired in her lifetime…

(Wow--thank God for Jesus, just sayin!)

What's even more mind blowing is that this all happened in the garden! No one had ever abused, neglected or taken advantage of Eve. So, if the question of the goodness of God was corrupted in the beauty of the garden…how much easier is it for us to take our eyes off of God's grand and perfect love in the world we live in today-one filled with deceit, brokenness and depravity…?

All too often things that happen in my daily life cause me to take my eyes off of God and his goodness and I find myself wondering if God indeed has my best in mind. Especially, if in my own mind, I have already decided what would be the best outcome in a situation or I have gone straight to sitting in a place of fear.

These are the times I need to begin with reminding myself of the truth which today starts with repeating Psalm 136:1.

Psalm 136:1 "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever."

Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."

2 Corinthians 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort"

As I remind myself of the truth of who God is and what He says is true, it changes the way that I see things around me. I may still be surrounded by the same situation and feelings; however I get to sit in a place of seeing Him. I get to see the light of truth when I'm walking in a cave of darkness. I can move steadily toward that place of seeing right when the shadows of problems that feel too big for me threaten to overwhelm me. It's then when I lift my eyes and can adjust to focus on the brightness of the good and right that I journey toward…and with my eyes back on the beautiful presence of my King, I can rise above the troubles that surround me and know that God has me.

Those times when I find myself returning to a place of distrust and questioning, when I find myself in need of remembering truth-I am utterly thankful that there's a path I can take which leads me to the serenity of right believing.

Thank you, Father God, for giving me right perspective when I find myself looking at weeds of doubt. Thank you that you are good and no matter what I do or the choices I make-Your love endures forever. Thank you that Your word comforts me and that I get to find my grounding in Your truth. Thank you that I am Yours…and God…I just ask that you help me see you in all things…those things that are effortless and those that are challenging.

Joyfully His,
Jewel