Message of Hope: God is still God during the good times and the bad times.
There are some tough questions to answer below ~ at least they are for me. Questions I have struggled with over time and still do, to be honest. I’d love to hear your thoughts on them in the comments section below this post. So much to learn from each other.
Heart and Healing
Ruth 1:6-13
1. Today’s world may not think in terms that God blesses in terms of good crops, but in what other ways have you seen God blessing His people who obey and follow Him?
2. Have you ever felt like God was raising his fist at you? What happened?
3. How do you make sense of the idea that God is ultimately responsible for all the good and bad in this world even though God Himself does not “do” the bad things?
I am answering these questions within the blog post because I needed to complete them ahead of time and can’t schedule ‘comments’ ahead of time like I can ‘posts’. My parents have been in Bolivia on missions for two years and returned to Canada at midnight, so we will be driving to Toronto to spend the weekend with them before they return to Manitoba! Yay!!
1. The easiest blessings to see are those that are through things (crops, houses, vehicles, belongings), but the blessings that touch me to the core are when God blesses people by removing strongholds and filling people with true peace, love, and joy that can only come from Him.
2. YES!! The time I felt the most that God was raising his fist at me was when I was 21. I had my whole life in front of me and was diagnosed with cancer. And I was angry and hurt and filled with fear. I had grown up with God as an important part of my life, but looking back, I had never walked in the victory God had for me. I spiraled into a cycle of fear and depression and I was angry. Why would God allow this to happen to ME? God then put someone in my life who taught me about strongholds and fear and speaking life and walking in victory. It’s been years of learning since then, but this side of it is so much more beautiful. The ‘bad’ of cancer taught me about true peace and joy that can only come from God.
3. I struggle with this question because if God wasn’t ultimately responsible for both the good and the bad in the world, there would be no need for free choice. I think free choice is essential. I prefer not to be a puppet. I understand that my choices can result in good and bad results and that satan delights in the bad, but I also understand that God is filled with grace and love that covers all of my choices. Not that this gives me license to do ‘bad’.
Living in the Moment 
They are difficult questions indeed, Iris! I know that God wants only good things for His children, but I often struggle with the thought that they are for everybody but me. I have gone through different challenges in my life, and it's not easy not to think that God raised His fist at me. I also know that my actions have consequences, and I know that some of the things I go through are due to my poor choices. I believe in His love and mercy, and my daily prayer is to be able to walk in victory. Thank you for sharing your heart, your time and your love with me. I admire you because, even when I know that you are so busy and have so much to do, you still take time to try to lift other up, even when you have hard times. I love you!!! May you have a great great time with your parents!!Rosy
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Yes, Rosy, it is not easy to think that God raises His fist against us, but when all hope is gone, I have found myself in that place, shameful as it is to admit. I too realize that sometimes our choices have negative consequences but I have also learned over the years that sometimes 'bad things happen to good people'. They just do. It's part of living in a fallen world. Wrapping myself in the arms of the Almighty is ultimately the only comfort there is and how wonderful it is to know that He is always there and truly the only One we need. What a powerful thing to know. Love and hugs to you today. Walk in His promises for your life!
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