I believe that breakthrough happens when we absolutely surrender our old way of thinking and cultivate a new perspective and way of life — one that is full of truth, life and beauty. Breakthough isn't always easy, in fact, it's really hard. This has been said of the difficulty of breaking through these lies/natural way of thinking: "It may be difficult — even painful — to identify and root out those areas of deception that have placed you in bondage. But I know a "Good Shepherd" who loves you dearly, who laid down His life for you, and who will take you by the hand and lead you into green pastures and by quiet waters, if only you will let Him." That being said, the first lie that brings us into bondage that I want to address is that which says that God is not really good.
We don't like to actually say this one out loud but don't we scream this to ourselves, deep down, in our most discouraging of days? For the longest time, I thought that God was defined by my circumstances. Like, if God doesn't show up the way that I think He should, why wouldn't I question His goodness? And I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has gone astray into this mentality. It's only natural to doubt God's goodness because, for one, we can't even contain it into our measly human reasoning. The doubts will come, so here is some truth regarding this lie:
1. The doubting of God's goodness brings nothing but destruction.
"Once we doubt the goodness of God, we feel justified in rejecting His will and making our own decisions about right and wrong." When we doubt God, we are ultimately prioritizing our philosophies and desires over His. In this, we are robbing ourselves of so, so much.
2. Our feelings do not change the truth.
"The Truth is, God is good. Whether or not His choices seem good to us, He is good. Whether or not we feel it, He is good. Whether or not it seems true in my life or yours, He is still good." Our feelings will never, ever change the truth that He is good. We will not always experience the extent of His goodness every second of every day (in our estimations). But that is not to say that it is inexistent. His goodness is still present, perfect, and absolutely overwhelming, in each and every way.
3. He is beyond worthy of our trust.
He desires a relationship with us. In that, He loves us endlessly and pursues us consistently. He is the same yesterday, today, forever — He does not change. He cannot lie. There are a million qualities of Him that I rattle off and they all point to the pure fact that He is good and we can certainly trust Him.
He's good — so so good. Even when we don't see it. Even when we don't feel it. And even when our circumstances don't show it. Trust in this truth, meditate on it, live it out.
