Yesterday, we looked at God working for the good of those who love Him, and I had mentioned that the good being talked about may not always seem good at the time. God may shut one door so that He can lead us through another that will be far more beneficial in the bigger picture. After I sent it out, I realized the focus had leaned more heavily on not all good is what we want. I didn’t want to leave us in a more negative place, so I wanted to also talk of the good that is also very good in our eyes as well. Some of that good would obviously be answered prayers. As we pray for help, direction, healing, and intervention, there have been many good answers to those prayers. I’m not saying all the prayers will be answered as we desire, but I have seen many answers to prayers. Another good thing that God does in our lives is forgiveness. Without that, none of us would have hope for the future. When, by faith, we confess and repent of our sins, and come with a remorseful heart, we are not only forgiven, but where there is forgiveness there is also life and salvation. God gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God also, through what Christ has done for us on the cross, sees us as holy, righteous, and saints. He gives us an identity... that we are children of God... a child of the king. He gives us wisdom as we ask, and fills us with knowledge as we walk by faith. Jesus said that he went to prepare a place for all believers. Through faith God also shows us mercy and grace. He says, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.” The list goe on describing all the ways that He has done ‘good’ in our lives. I have personally experienced healing in my life. I have experienced the peace of God that overwhelmed me and filled my heart with joy. I have experienced being rescued from a sin that kept repeating itself in my life. So, yes, some of the things that God does are good for us, but not always pleasant. Reading the above information, it becomes clear how much good we do experience as we walk by faith. I guess, looking at the bigger picture, we need to give up being anxious and instead turn to God in prayer and devotion. Father, You are indeed good. What You do is good. Forgive us for wishing when we should be worshiping. Amen