Write2Ignite

When a friend had successful cancer surgery, she joyfully announced the results, along with her conclusion that God is good. And the social media responses were positive and predictable:

• Yes, God is good!
• God truly answers prayer!
• God really loves you!
• God is an awesome God!

Everyone rejoiced in her prognosis because we understood the magnitude of what might have been.

But what if…?

Still, our collective responses started me wondering. What if the surgery had not been successful? Would we still have said:

• God is good!
• God truly answers prayer!
• God really loves you!
• God is an awesome God!

…or would we have privately doubted God’s goodness?

The prophet Habakkuk wrote:

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV).

A writer’s paraphrase

Today, as writers are we willing to say:

          Though no agents represent me

and I have no book contracts,

though my manuscripts bleed red

and I have no freelance jobs,

though I don’t have a critique group

and I can’t afford a writer’s conference,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Just because things may not be working out the way we planned does not mean they’re not working out the way God planned for our good and His glory.

Are we willing to trust His plans over our own?

To follow His lead rather than charging ahead of Him?

And to be grateful for how He uses our writing gifts, persevering even if it’s to change the life of just one person?

On the flip side, when agent representation and the book contracts come, are we quick to take credit for what God has provided? Remember Deuteronomy 8:17-18:

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (NIV).

Regardless of the circumstances

No matter what happens, God is good.

Whether we understand our circumstances or not, God is good.

Whether we can serve Him the way we want or not, God is always good.

                              And whether our days are difficult or easy, God is still good.

Do you believe this—truly believe this in the midst of your present circumstances?

Believe it in your heart and speak it aloud because it’s always true:

God is good, all the time.  

And all the time, God is good.

I pray you’re not experiencing anything today that’s causing you to doubt God’s goodness.

But if you are, what will you do with your doubts?