7/30/25 Lies about God’s Goodness

Takeaway: God’s goodness is not defined by our circumstances but anchored in His loving presence in all things.

Opening Prayer (Wednesday)

Father, in the middle of this week, I lean on You for strength. When I am weary, be my rest. When I am uncertain, be my guide. Refresh my soul as I draw near to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

In the hidden corners of our minds, many of us quietly wrestle with the question: Can God really be good when life feels so bad? Suffering, disappointment, and betrayal, can twist our perception of God’s nature, planting seeds of doubt that grow into subtle lies. “If God is good, why did this happen?” “Maybe He’s punishing me.” “Perhaps He’s forgotten about me.” These are not just emotional reactions to pain, they are quiet lies that make us challenge God’s character. But Romans 8:28 cuts through the fog of questions with the truth that in all things, not just the pleasant or the painless, God is actively working for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This verse doesn’t deny hardship, it reframes it. It doesn’t promise comfort, but it promises us that every situation has meaning. God’s goodness is not limited by circumstance or is only seen through immediate outcomes. God’s goodness is deeply rooted in His eternal purpose for our lives.

To embrace the truth of Romans 8:28 is to live with the deep conviction that even when we do not understand what God is doing, we can trust why He does it: God is good all the time. This truth calls us to push back against the lie that we experience God’s goodness based on our circumstances. However, the cross itself, the greatest injustice in history, is also the greatest display of God’s redemptive love and goodness. If God can use the brutal death of His Son to accomplish salvation for the world, how much more can He use our suffering for a purpose we may not yet see? His goodness is not proven by the ease of our lives, but by the promise of His presence and love in our life. The lie says, “This pain is pointless.” But God’s Word declares, “This pain has a good in it.” The lie says, “God is distant.” But His Word assures us that “He is near to the brokenhearted.”

When we filter our understanding of God’s goodness through temporary circumstances, we inevitably end up disillusioned and distant. But when we anchor ourselves to the eternal truth of His character, we find peace even in the middle of the storm. Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 is a lifeline. It is a declaration that the same God who shaped creation out of chaos is shaping something beautiful out of your mess. And even when we can’t trace His hand, we can trust His Word. God is not just good to us when life is easy, He is good for us and with us in all things. His goodness does not expire in our waiting for it, nor vanish our disappointment when we struggle in life. God’s goodness is the bedrock of our faith.

Questions

When have you struggled to believe that God is good because of something painful in your life?

How does Romans 8:28 reshape your understanding of hardship and God’s purpose in it?

Application

Take time to reflect on a difficult experience from your past or present. Ask God to reveal how He has been working through it for good, even if you don’t yet fully understand. Write down any lies you’ve believed about God in that season and replace them with the truth of His Word. Meditate daily on Romans 8:28 and let it become the lens through which you see your pain and God’s presence in it.

Closing Prayer

Father, when life is hard and I feel confused or hurt, help me to trust that You are still good. Anchor my heart in the truth of Your Word, not the uncertainty of my circumstances. Heal the places where lies have taken root and remind me that in all things, You are working for my good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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