Life is Hard, But God is Still Good

“Both our van and our stove broke down this weekend, but God is still good.
My head hurts, but God is still good.
I spent the day in the emergency room, but God is still good.
I can’t breathe, but God is still good.“

As I write this on Sunday, Heather Hart has been in the hospital with covid for eighteen days. It’s been a rough time, full of joyful ups and terrifying downs, especially for Heather, but also for everyone who knows and loves her.

We thought she was getting better; we thought she’d be home in a few days, but Saturday night, the doctors said she has bacterial pneumonia. Breathing continues to be increasingly difficult and painful.

We don’t know what lies ahead, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from Heather since I found Candidly Christian in 2017 it’s this:

Life is Hard, But God is Still Good Click To Tweet

Life is hard, God is still good.

What does that even mean…?!

Honestly, I’ve struggled with this idea, this Christian-ese cliché. It reminds me of that back-and-forth thing from the feel-good movies where two people respond to each other and go round and round:

“God is good…”

   “…all the time.”

“All the time….”

   “…God is good.”

“Life is hard, but God is Good” – the mantra of Candidly Christian. I’ve wondered, even out loud to Heather, what does that even mean? Like, seriously, does anyone in real life actually live that way, praising God even in the greatest pain?

Yes. Some people really do praise God even in the blackest darkness.

No matter the pain, regardless of the difficulty or diagnosis, Heather finishes her story with “…but God is still good.” I’m sure there are days she says it to reassure and remind herself, but I’ve seen it in her eyes enough to know she means it.

In this world, there will be trouble…

It breaks our hearts to see good people go through one trial after another through no fault of their own. My simpleton logic says bad things happen should only to bad people. Good people should be free to spread their goodness, while bad people suffer for their own selfishness. But that’s not life.

So why do good people who spend their lives pointing others to Jesus and praising Him still suffer? Because whether you’re running the mafia or serving on the mission field, we’re all living on the same earth.

Jesus promised there would be trouble but encouraged us to be brave because He has overcome the world. To me, this sounds a lot like “Life is hard, but God is good.” When I’d hear this verse, I used to think “Good for You, Jesus, but what does Your victory have to do with me?”

But Because of Jesus…

I’m learning that Jesus’ victory has everything to do with me. And as I write this evening, I see it clearly. Because Jesus overcame the world, we have three things that will last forever: faith, hope, and love.

Faith

Jesus wasn’t sheltered from the reality of living in a broken world, and neither are we. But when we put our faith in Jesus, we have comfort.

A friend may comfort you, but they’re not always around, nor are they always loyal. A pill or a cupcake may comfort you, but they both come with side effects. You may even comfort yourself, but there will come a time you just don’t have the strength.

Jesus is our comforter for every crisis. He is always there, loyal to the death, has no ill side-effects, and shares His infinite strength with you.

Hope

We don’t know how Heather’s covid journey will end, but whether on this side of heaven or the next, she will be healed. To me, that’s the biggest difference between Christians vs non-Christians—hope.

For Christians, the end is just the beginning.

I once heard that grieving is only for the living because in grief, we’re thinking on our loss instead of our loved one’s joy and glory.

This is the hope of a Christian – that even if our definition of the worst comes true for ourselves or someone else, there is still joy and there is still something to look forward to.

And all of this because of Jesus.

This is the hope of a Christian – that even if our definition of the worst comes true for ourselves or someone else, there is still joy and there is still something to look forward to. Click To Tweet

Love

God is so good that He can turn the scariest and most painful things into something beautiful. I know because I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. I’m living it right now.

When you give your tears to Jesus, He replaces them with peace. When you whisper His name, He fills you with His strength. And when two or more gather in His name, He joins their prayers and connects their spirits. And all of this so you can comfort others as He has comforted you. This is the love of Christ.

It’s Always Been About Jesus

When covid lockdowns started, Heather and I agreed that we would not publish posts that focused on covid. Candidly Christian exists to point women to Jesus, not any disease, politics, or masking mandate. Even though this pandemic is traumatic in our time, trial is nothing new in this world.

In the most lonesome hour, Jesus is there. When all hope on earth is lost, an eternity of joy awaits us. In the midst of our worst, God will show us His best.

What Can You Do?

The most important thing to Heather is that Jesus is praised and glorified. As she leans on Jesus for every breathe, let’s use ours to lift His name on her behalf. The message of Candidly Christian always has been, and always will be Jesus, and no matter what happens, God is still good.

Please leave your prayers and your praise in the comments for Heather and all Candidly Christian visitors.