If it’s good, it’s from God. When was the last time you enjoyed a good cup of coffee or your favorite cold drink?
Do you have warm, pleasant memories of good times with your family or friends over the holidays? Is your life good? Do you enjoy relatively good health? Do you have enough good food to eat? Do you sometimes stop to ponder how good you really have it?
What about all that’s not good, the evil in the world? I’m very aware of the fact that there is a lot of bad stuff in the world. News programs feed us a steady diet of murders, scandals, riots, robberies, and all kinds of examples of how our world is going to hell.
Sometimes I get so frustrated with these horrible realities that I lose sight of the fact that there is a lot of good in the world; good people, good ideas, and good things to enjoy. There is a lot of good to be found if we stay open to it, look for it, and nurture it. If it’s good, it’s from God.
We don’t need to ignore the reality of evil in the world. Neither do we need to be so overwhelmed by it that we lose our hope that good will ultimately win the battle. I don’t pretend to understand nor am I able to explain why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Nor can I explain why evil, wicked things happen and there seems to be little or no consequences for those who perpetrate it.
This I believe: God is good. If you have anything in your life that is good; a relationship, food, housing, clothing, health, etc., it has only one source. If it’s good, it’s from God. When you have a moment, open your Bible to the first chapter of James and read verses 1-18. In verses 16-17 James cautions us to not be deceived or mislead about where our good things originate.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.” What is James saying to us? If it’s good, it’s from God.
Anything good in your life? Why not spend some time meditating on all the good God has provided for you? Make a list of all the good things that bless your life daily. Your outlook on life will change if you spend a few moments daily acknowledging your good things. Gratitude has the power to change our negativity to hopefulness. Why not pause right now to thank the Lord for something good in your life? Stopping what you’re doing to express your gratitude will make your day go better.https://www.cosdavis.com/life-lessons-gratitude.
I still love the “Doxology” we used to sing in church. The words go something like this, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”
If it’s good, it’s from God. Go to http://first15.org/04/15/the-faithfulness-of-god/ for additional help on the faithfulness and goodness of God.
P.S. If you are struggling with anxiety because of current world events or a personal situation, you can find help in my two-part blog on anxiety. https://www.cosdavis.com/antidote-for-anxiety and https://www.cosdavis.com/antidote-for-anxiety-part-two/