God gives good gifts. Have you ever thought about the fact that God wants to give you good things? Do you ever question His goodness? Like when your prayer isn’t answered the way you had hoped, or the job didn’t come through that you desired, or when a friend leaves your life?
If you follow any of my social media posts, you probably know that I am a bit of an animal lover—especially small dogs. A few years ago, we introduced a new member to our family: a four pound Pomeranian we have affectionately named Selah. She has stolen not only my heart but that of many who have met her.
One day, I sat at my dining room table eating lunch, when Selah decided that what I was eating smelled enticing. She came over to me and when spinning in circles at my feet wasn’t enough to persuade me to give her some of my delectable-smelling food, she then tried another approach: she got up on her tiny little hind legs and pawed at me with her front legs to ensure she had my attention. I couldn’t resist paying attention to her, but what she really wanted wasn’t so much my attention but what I was eating.
I considered it for a nano-second before determining that I wouldn’t give her any. Not because I don’t love her, but because I DO love her. What I was eating wouldn’t be good for a dog’s digestive system, so out of love for her, I denied her request. She didn’t know it wasn’t good for her: she was asking for it, she was begging for it, she was trying to communicate, “Mom, I don’t know what you have, but I want some of that, please, because that smells good!” Out of love for her, I made the right choice and withheld something from her that she wanted.
God wants to give us good things
No sooner did I turn back to my plate when God whispered to my heart, “Michelle, I do that for you all the time. So often you pray about things you want, but because I love you, I don’t always answer your prayers the way you want me to. It’s not because I’m mean. It’s not because I’m angry with you. It’s because I love you. Because I love you, sometimes I have to withhold something from you that you want, that you think would be good for you, but I know it would not be good for you.”
James 1:7 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
It says EVERY GOOD and PERFECT gift comes from God. That’s what God wants to give us. God wants good things for us.
He wants to give us good gifts that are perfect for where we are,
the situations we are going through,
what’s in our hearts, and
where he wants us to go.
There are so many things that He could give us, but He only wants to give us the good and perfect things.
God gives good gifts
As I reflected on this truth, God reminded me of the passage in Matthew 7: 9-11, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Both passages, the one from James and the one from Matthew, both underscore that God wants to give us good gifts, the gifts that will help us, the gifts that we need. He takes His time. He’s never in a hurry. He knows the perfect time to give us those gifts, and they are always good and perfect. God gives good gifts and He delights in giving those gifts to us.
So even though I didn’t give Selah the food that she thought would be good, it wouldn’t have been good for her. As someone who loves her, I withheld that. That can be an act of love. When God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want Him to, it’s an act of love because He knows what is good and perfect for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
That scripture means that
God knows what is best for us,
God wants what is best for us, and
God gives us what is best for us
—those things that are good, and will give us a future and a hope, but that won’t harm us.
He is a good, good Father.
Trust that God only wants to give good things.
I would love to hear how you have seen this to be true in your own life, in the comments below.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Today is Going to be a Good Day
Now Available!
Exciting News! My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right is now available!
More information on this uplifting devotional that helps you make each day a good day no matter what is going on in your life.
When life conspires to drag us down with all of its troubles, it can be hard to keep our spirits up. In times of severe illness and depression, I learned that when I stand on God’s promises, despite my circumstances, every day can be a good day.
Each reading includes Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a recommended playlist song designed to help you live out Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
For more information on the book visit:
Wow, I LOVE this! It’s so hard to accept, but I, too, choose to believe God withholding things from us truly is for our good and His glory! Visiting from #TuneInThursday. 🙂
Emily, I agree…it can be a difficult concept to wrap our mind around, but it all comes back to the belief that God is good and He wants good things for us.
Ohhhh…. such a hard and good lesson! You drew it out so beautifully! Blessings, friend!
Liz,
It’s always a delight to see you here. Miss you!
I have struggled with episodes of depression and each time I can’t seem to believe that God is doing good things for me. However, each time it lifts, I can see God’s hand at work and experience blessings that I never would have had if I had not gone through the dark valley–ability to help others, more gratitude for good emotional health, more gratefulness and appreciation for my church family and friends who prayed for me and many other benefits. You are right! Our Father is a good, good God! I will remember Selah in times of need. Thanks for sharing.I
Oh Charlotte…boy have I been there too! I wrote about it in my book about depression. The thing is, the enemy is always trying to steal, kill and destroy from us, and he is the ultimate liar! And when we go through things like depression, we are more susceptible to listening to his lies. I’m glad my story of Selah was beneficial. #HopePrevails
Depression has been my big problem as well on and off for YEARS. Finally found an excellent counselor and after trying several medications for it I’m seeing I should have done it long ago. However, my husband is in stage 4 kidney failure, and it had gotten pretty dark in my mind. That’s what triggered the last episode. Your posts have also been part of lifting me up out of that hole I was in. Thank you Dr. Bengtson for helping so many people. Also, I’m praying for you and hoping God will help you get past all the recent pain and suffering you’ve been going through. God bless you!
Great post. I have come to know that the good things God wants for us are sometimes the things we don’t want, but I choose to trust God because His thoughts and ways are so much higher than mine! Stopping by from Grace and Truth Link Up. Pinned to share with our Living Our Priorities community.
Timberley, what a beautiful name you have! It’s lovely!
To your point, yes, we have to choose to trust despite what we see. His ways are higher and better than ours–we just have to keep that in mind. Blessings to you!
I know of an atheist who regularly writes letters to the editor desperately trying to convince the readers of the stupidity of their belief in God. He paints the God of the Bible as angry and unloving and pulls verses out of context to try to back his opinions. As believers, we know “unloving” is the polar opposite of Who our Lord really is. The illustration of your new pooch begging for food and you loving her enough to withhold it is perfect!
Julie,
So many are deceived by the enemy. I’m so glad that God shows Himself and His faithfulness to us in such a way that we just can’t deny it.
Michelle, this is such a great post! He truly is good, good Father. Thank you so much for sharing such beautiful encouragement. Blessings! 🙂
Tai,
I appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment. You are an encouragement to me!
You are most welcome!
Such beautiful imagery that God gave you through little Selah. I have found that to be true also–He does give us His best good gifts, even when I look the other way and think that I know better. Your new puppy is so cute! Years ago we had a little Pomeranian/Poodle mix who was the same coloring as your little Selah. What a sweet memory today.
Oh Bettie, I love it when He shows me things about Him in the ordinary day to day! Glad this brought a happy memory to mind.
Amen! Thanks for this joyful encouragement!
Thanks for stopping by! I always love to read your comments!
We serve a good and gracious God, don’t we!
We absolutely do! Blessings, Donna!
Such a wonderful analogy! My heart aches that so many people don’t know that God is good.
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Richella,
Thanks so much for the feature! Isn’t it sad to know so many don’t know about God’s goodness? Grateful for opportunities to spread that truth! #HopePrevails!
God is the origin of tough love…not what we desire but what we need…
Jansaun, I’m so grateful that God is always good and never capable of anything but good!
This is a wonderful post. Thank you for the great analogy. I am a 29-year sufferer of anxiety and panic disorder, so I often wonder why the Lord doesn’t want to give me the good gift of healing from this condition. I can’t understand why He would withhold healing from me, but His ways are higher. He knows best. All I can do is trust in His plan. It’s hard, but I trust.
Rosanna, in my own journey with chronic pain I’ve had some of the feelings and questions you expressed here. Like you, I believe that even when I don’t understand, I have to rest knowing God’s plan is best, so all I can do is continue to trust. And you’re right–that’s pretty challenging at times.
While I agree with you, I see it like this. God has already given me the best in himself. Therein lies my perfect promise of security. If more blessings come, wonderful, but I don’t wait for more. I try to petition less and praise more. He is the potter and I know he is building my faith. I already have enough.
We absolutely must remember these truths about the goodness of God! Thank your for sharing this truth even as you have your own hard days!