God is Good: A Journey Through Faith and Trust
In times of uncertainty and grief, it’s easy to question the goodness of God. Life throws curveballs, and we often find ourselves walking through valleys we never anticipated. Yet, in these moments, the truth remains steadfast: God is good. This simple yet profound truth is the foundation of our faith, and it’s a truth that can anchor us even in the most challenging seasons.
Today, we’ll explore what it means to truly believe in the goodness of God, how it shapes our lives, and how we can strengthen our faith to walk through life’s challenges with resilience and hope.
Walking Through the Valley with God
Life is full of unexpected challenges. Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations we never planned for—moments of loss, disappointment, or confusion. In these times, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but we are reminded of Psalm 23:4 (NIV):
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."
God doesn’t rush us through these valleys. He walks with us, step by step, offering His presence and comfort. He doesn’t promise a life free from pain, but He promises to be with us in every moment. This is the essence of His goodness—He is with us, even when the path is hard.
The Importance of Inner Strength
Just as a rugby player trains to build physical strength and resilience, we too must build our spiritual strength. Life will inevitably bring challenges, and our ability to withstand them depends on the foundation we’ve built in our relationship with God.
The Bible is filled with truths about who God is and who we are in Him. These truths are like spiritual weights—they strengthen us when we intentionally engage with them. Psalm 100:5 (NIV) reminds us:
"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
When we internalize these truths, we develop a resilience that helps us face life’s challenges without being "taken out" by them. Our spiritual strength comes from spending time with God, meditating on His Word, and allowing His truth to shape our hearts and minds.
The Core Truth: God is Good
At the heart of our faith is the truth that God is good. This isn’t just a comforting phrase—it’s a foundational truth that shapes everything about our lives. When we truly believe that God is good, it changes how we view our circumstances, our relationships, and even ourselves.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV) says:
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
God’s goodness isn’t dependent on our circumstances. He is good all the time, even when life feels hard. His goodness is constant, unchanging, and beyond our understanding.
Wrestling with the Truth
There are moments when our spirits resonate with the truth that God is good, but our minds and emotions struggle to align. We may sing worship songs declaring His goodness, only to walk out of church and feel the weight of doubt and confusion.
This tension is normal. We live in a broken world, and our experiences can sometimes cloud our perception of God’s goodness. But even in our wrestling, God remains faithful. As A.W. Tozer once said:
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
Our belief in God’s goodness shapes how we live, how we love, and how we face challenges. When we anchor our hearts in this truth, we find stability, even in the storm.
Lies That Distance Us from God’s Goodness
The enemy’s strategy hasn’t changed since the Garden of Eden. His goal is to sow doubt and create distance between us and God. He whispers lies that distort our understanding of God’s character. Here are a few common lies we may believe:
My situation is a punishment for my past mistakes.
The truth: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, NIV). God’s forgiveness is complete, and His love for us is unwavering.God is breaking me to remake me.
The truth: God is not a harsh taskmaster. He is a loving Father who gently leads us into transformation. "A bruised reed he will not break" (Matthew 12:20, NIV).God is forcing me to surrender.
The truth: Surrender is an invitation, not a demand. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NIV).God is using my pain to help others.
The truth: While God can bring purpose out of our pain, He doesn’t inflict suffering for the sake of ministry. He is a God of redemption who turns our brokenness into beauty.
Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Faith
Recognise the Spiritual Battle
Be aware of the enemy’s tactics to sow doubt. Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and refuse to give the enemy a foothold.Renew Your Mind
Meditate on scriptures that declare God’s goodness. Let His truth silence the lies and reshape your perspective.Practice Gratitude
Cultivate a heart of thankfulness. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance of God’s blessings.Pray Boldly
Approach God with confidence, knowing that He is a good Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children.Walk in Love and Hope
Let the goodness of God flow through you to others. Be a reflection of His love and kindness in the world.
The Goodness of God in the Wilderness
In Exodus 33, Moses asks God to show him His glory. God responds by revealing His goodness, saying, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you" (Exodus 33:19, NIV).
God’s goodness is so profound that it transforms us. When we truly understand His goodness, we can walk through any wilderness with confidence and hope. His goodness is the foundation of our faith, the anchor of our souls, and the source of our strength.
As we journey through life, let’s declare with David in Psalm 27:13 (NIV):
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
No matter what challenges we face, we can trust that God is good, and His goodness will carry us through.
This blog is based on a sermon delivered by Hannah Giddens on February 16, 2025, at the City Church Swansea