God of the Good Times, God of the Bad Times

“I am the LORD, and there is no other.

I create the light and make the darkness.

I send good times and bad times.

I, the LORD, am the one who does these things.”

Isaiah 45:6-7 (NLT)

Merriam-Webster defines the word ‘bad’ as disagreeable, unpleasant, objectionable, or unwelcome. While bad times typically connote something unpleasant, God’s perspective is quite different from ours. What we would define as bad times, God characterizes as useful for correction, discipline, faith-building, or personal growth. What we perceive as bad, God uses for good.

Joseph bore witness to this truth when he declared, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (Genesis 50:20). The psalmist asserted, “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). Romans 8:28 affirms, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

This is a difficult truth to accept, especially when we are in the thick of the storm. One lesson I have learned, during times of struggle, is to replace my ‘Why?’ with ‘What?’ What can I learn from this struggle? What will my response be?

I love this quote by Madeleine L’Engle; “God doesn’t stop the bad things from happening; that’s never been part of the promise. The promise is, “I am with you. I am with you now until the end of time.”

Though we are not spared the ‘bad,’ we can cling to God’s assurance that He will walk beside us through those hard times. He will work all things, the good and the bad, the darkness and the light, to our good. We might not see the reason for our struggle here on earth, but I am certain we will experience that ‘Aha!’ moment when we reach heaven.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.(1)

• Words penned by Horatio Spafford. Hymn composed by Philip Bliss. ‘It Is Well With My Soul.’