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Is God Really Good?

Is God Really Good?

Last updated on: February 9, 2016 at 2:35 pm by Chelsea Patterson

Is God Really Good? 2016-02-09T14:35:46-05:00 Chelsea Patterson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m so excited to welcome one of my dearest friends to Patheos today – Anna Cribb. She and I attended Liberty University together, lived in DC at the same time, and have shared many heart-to-hearts and laughs. Anna is one of most “real” people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing – her honesty and vulnerability are some of the things I like most about her. Enjoy her thoughts!

Is God Really Good?

Have you asked this question? I have. We trick ourselves into believing that since we’ve given our lives to Christ, bad things shouldn’t happen to us. But bad, sometimes awful things, do happen, and we blame God and doubt if God is really good.

I have had a passion for government for as long as I can remember. After years of hard work and prayer, I finally got “my dream job”! It was the opportunity of a lifetime. God had provided in every way: Money, housing, clothing and more! Those days were the most exciting I had ever experienced. I was confident I was walking in obedience and God was living out His promises directly in front of me. He was good. I knew He was good! My faith was unshakable, my joy was unfathomable, and my expectations were untamable.

Fast forward 9 months. I’m now unemployed, broke, disillusioned, disappointed and desperate. What happened? “God, where are you? Where were you! I thought you were good!”

Have you ever been there? Maybe instead of a job you lost a dream, a home, your health or a loved one. We are stunned, speechless, and left hollow-eyed with tear-stained faces wondering why God abandoned us.

Ever time one of God’s people in Scripture faces turmoil, something incredible happens. Think of Joseph who was sold in to slavery and then locked in a dungeon for decades. He then saved thousands of lives from famine (Genesis 39-41). Think of Mary. She gave birth to the Son of God and then 33 years later she watched as He was brutally murdered. Because of that, we can have eternal life and forgiveness! I think of Job. Job suffered incredible loss, but his story has encouraged millions in times of desperation. These are just a few.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes.”

In moments when we are tempted to blame God for the pain in our lives, I pray that we will remember this truth:

God has been faithfully fulfilling His promises for the sake of His people for thousands of years. In the brevity of our lives, may we rest in the infinite character of our God, and cling to Him as He leads us through the storm.

Anna was born and raised in North Carolina. She attended Liberty University were she earned her BS in Psychology and MA in Public Policy. Anna then went to live in Washington, DC for a year as she served in two internships on Capitol Hill before returning to North Carolina to assist in the 2014 campaign cycle. Anna currently lives in Lynchburg, VA where she works in ministry with Liberty University student leaders. In her free time Anna enjoys blogging for Forage Gathering at foragegathering.com.

Follow Anna on Twitter – @anna_cribb

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