Have you ever asked God for something and He said, “No”? Or maybe even worse, He said nothing? He’s certainly done that to me. Somewhere along the line, we get this idea of God that he’s like Santa Claus, or a Genie in the sky, there to give us our hearts’ desires. I know it’s not true, but I still find myself acting and thinking as if it is.
We hear things like,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Or
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
And we take that to mean, if I bring something to God, he will give it to me.
Here’s the thing, though. That’s not how it works. But still, when God doesn’t answer my prayer the way I want, or doesn’t answer at all, it makes me question: Is He good?
Here’s the thing though, there is a difference between “Good” and “Preference”, and oftentimes we confuse the two. Really, what I want is for God to give me what I want. I want that new relationship, that new job, that new opportunity. But all those things may not be “good” for me.
However, “good” isn’t about getting what you want. Maybe that hardship is good for you; maybe that layoff was exactly what you needed to go in a new direction. “Good” doesn’t always mean preferable for you right in the moment.
The Bible says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Or
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6
What “Good” means is often subjective and tainted with our own desires. But part of the faith journey is to acknowledge and practice that our preference for what should happen shouldn’t rise above our trust in God to make all things Good for Him and us.