One of the greatest questions humanity has asked throughout history is whether God is truly good. When we look at the suffering in the world, it can be difficult to reconcile the idea of a loving God with the pain and injustice we witness. Scripture tells us that God is good, yet it also speaks of His wrath, His commands to His people that seem harsh, and His willingness to allow suffering. How do we understand this paradox? To find the answer, we must not begin by looking outward at the world but inward at our own hearts. God is always present, even when we do not see Him, even when we push Him away. He does not force His way into our lives but waits patiently for us to turn to Him. When we shift our perception and seek Him earnestly, we realize that He has been with us all along, guiding us through our choices and offering us the love, grace, and truth we need to grow.
Key Concepts
- God is Always Present, Even When We Reject Him: Just as a loving parent remains present for their child, even when that child does not want their help, God remains with us even when we turn away. Our refusal to see Him does not change the fact that He is near, offering guidance and love.
- God’s Goodness is Rooted in Love and Trust: God’s love is not about control but about trust. He trusts us enough to let us make our own choices, even when those choices lead to pain. His goodness is found in His constant invitation to return, His grace through Jesus Christ, and His trust in us to learn and grow.
- Understanding God Requires a Shift in Perspective: Many of our struggles with faith come from our own limited perspective. Just as a child cannot always understand a parent’s decisions, we cannot always see the full picture of God’s plan. When we learn to trust in His infinite wisdom, we open ourselves to true spiritual growth.
The Problem of Evil
And YHVH passed by before [Moses], and proclaimed, YHVH, YHVH Elohim, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” -Exodus 34:6-7
One question people have asked for generations throughout time is, is God really good? Philosophers have struggled with what they call “the problem of evil” for as long as the art of philosophy has existed. It is easy to there is nothing to talk about, the scriptures say God is good, end of discussion. Yet the scriptures also say that God is fierce, and cruel; God is good, yet tells His people to murder women and children in cold blood. We see pain and suffering all around us. Why doesn’t a righteous God feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and end all war?
To think that we will settle these questions in this short article would be quite presumptuous. Yet these are topics we must discuss, and hopefully by doing so we will have some things to thing about to help us gain better understanding. To truly discuss this topic, we cannot look outward first, but inward. Yes, inside is where your pains are living. Like a loving Father, God is always there for us. We just need to look inwards and find Him.
God is Love
What does it mean then that God is love? Because love is sacrifice, and God gave everything for us. As the Bible says, God loved us first (1 John 4:19). We must understand that one of the greatest gifts God has given us is our freedom to choose. But with this freedom comes the consequences of our actions. Sadly, sometimes those consequences do not affect us at all, but others. And some consequences are much larger than we could ever imagine. But because of the love God has for us, Jesus atoned for our sins, making the way back. This means that God is always there for us, even when we do not want to acknowledge Him.
The Love of a Father
I will share an example. A fun story we like to talk about in our house is of our youngest son. As a baby, he wanted his mother. Always. The only times I was really able to spend time with him was when he was asleep. Yet I loved him. One night, after he had snuck into bed with us, my wife got up out of bed leaving me and him in the bed alone. He woke up and realized that mom was not there. I woke up and told him not to be afraid, I was there for him. He pushed me away and said, “I don’t want you dad!” He then began to scream, “Help! Mom! Heeeellllpppp!” My wife’s voice came out softly from the darkness and said, “it’s okay, I am right here, and your father is with you.” He pushed me again and said, “I hate dad, I want you mom!” I laughed to myself and stayed with him until my wife came back to bed, then we all fell back asleep.
At no point did I ever stop loving my son. I didn’t force my way into his heart. I loved him where he was. Eventually, one day he was trying to transform one of his toys from a car to a robot. I asked if I could help. He rather aggressively said, “No!” He let me know he would get help from his mom. I kindly explained that mom didn’t know how to transform toys, but he did not want to hear it. He went to his mom and came back and said, “Mom said you can do it.” As I transformed the toy, he asked why I know how to do this, and mom did not. I told him I loved playing with this type of toy as a child and that I played with them with his brothers. He was surprised! He suddenly saw me in another light. He then asked me if I could play with him. The joy I felt! Of course, I said yes. We have been friends ever since.
God Loves Unconditionally
While this is a rather mundane explanation, I feel this story expresses my understanding of how God works. God is always there, unconditionally. He offers us help, even when we push Him away. When we finally change our perspective and truly see God, we understand God’s goodness and that God has been with us all along. Now we want to spend time with God, learn all we can about God, let God teach us all we can learn. We grow in God!
Just as my youngest son and I do not always see eye-to-eye, we will not always agree with God. Why? Because God has an infinite perspective compared to our finite understanding. Just as my children think doing things that can hurt themselves or others are okay because they can “do whatever they want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else,” we too can be selfish and egotistical. But God is still with us, still wanting us to return. And we always can. That is why God is good. Because He loves and trusts us enough to send us here to learn for ourselves.
God is Always Present
It is easy to feel abandoned by God when life becomes difficult. In times of suffering, doubt, or frustration, we may question why God does not intervene. However, just as a loving parent does not leave their child, God does not leave us. The problem is not God’s absence but our own unwillingness to see Him. The scriptures tell us that God is near to all who seek Him (Psalm 145:18). When we push God away, God remains, waiting for the moment when we are ready to return.
In the story of the Prodigal Son, the father never stops loving or waiting for his son to come home (Luke 15:11-32). He does not chase after him, forcing him to return, but welcomes him with open arms when the son realizes his mistake. This mirrors our relationship with God—He does not force us into His presence but is always waiting to embrace us when we turn back to Him.
Godliness is Rooted in Love and Trust
One of the greatest gifts God has given us is free will. Rather than controlling every aspect of our lives, He allows us to make our own choices and experience the consequences, both good and bad. This freedom is a sign of His love and trust in us. Just as a parent allows their child to learn through experience, God allows us to learn through life. However, He does not leave us without guidance. Through the scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and personal revelation, He provides a way for us to navigate our journey and return to Him.
The ultimate expression of God’s love and trust is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Rather than forcing salvation upon us, God offers it as a gift, available to all who choose to accept it. This demonstrates His goodness—not through the removal of trials but through the provision of grace.
Understanding God Requires a Shift in Perspective
When we look at life through our own limited understanding, we may struggle to see God’s hand at work. However, just as a child does not always understand a parent’s reasoning, we do not always comprehend God’s plan. Our human perspective is finite, but God’s wisdom is infinite. He sees beyond our momentary struggles and knows what is ultimately best for us.
When we learn to trust in God’s wisdom rather than our own, we open ourselves to spiritual growth. Instead of demanding that God act according to our expectations, we begin to see His work in our lives in unexpected ways. This shift in perception is key to deepening our faith and recognizing His goodness, even in difficult times.
Discussion Questions
- How have you seen God’s presence in your life, even when you were not actively looking for Him?
- What does free will reveal about God’s love and trust in us?
- How can shifting our perspective help us understand God’s plan better?
- Why do you think God allows suffering, and how does this relate to His goodness?
- How can we help others who struggle with believing that God is good?
Suggestions for Action
- Reflect on God’s Presence. Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on where you have seen God’s hand in your life. How does recognizing His presence change your understanding of Him?
- Practice trusting in God. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust God and commit to surrendering it to Him in prayer. How does this impact your spiritual journey?
- Shift your perspective. When facing a difficult situation, ask yourself how God might be using it for growth. What insights do you gain?
- Express gratitude for free will, make a list of choices you have made that have strengthened your relationship with God. How does free will enhance your faith?
- Encourage someone in their faith. Reach out to someone struggling with doubt and offer words of encouragement. How does helping others strengthen your own faith?
Final Thought & Meditation
Take a moment to sit quietly and reflect on the ways God has been present in your life, even in times of doubt. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a child reaching out for a parent’s hand. Feel the warmth and reassurance of God’s presence. Know that no matter where you are, He has never left you. He waits with open arms, ready to guide you, comfort you, and reveal His goodness. When you are ready, whisper a prayer of trust, opening your heart to His infinite love.