Good Things

           Many times during my childhood, I can recall not getting what I thought was good for me. Skittles, Fruit Rollups, and limitless amounts of other candies are what I begged my mom for every time we entered a grocery store. To my dismay, she hardly ever said yes because of cavities and such.

           I always thought she was horrible and unreasonable, but in actuality she was doing what any good mother would do. My mom was protecting me from future pain even if that meant I wasn’t happy every split second. She wouldn’t compromise my health for temporary pleasure, and neither will our heavenly Father.

          As we grow up, the world feeds us many lies. Society tells us that in order to have a “good” time, we need to get drunk with our friends, and if people ever want to be “loved,” they have to give each other their bodies. Not only that, but the world also tells us that in order to be happy, we must have iphones, ipads, tons of clothes, a nice car, and mainly, lots of riches. 

         The problem is that God’s word tells us a different story. We are to wait until marriage to know intimately our significant other, and getting drunk doesn’t allow us to have fun; it can actually hurt us. Also, riches will not make us happy. In fact, the love of money is the root of all evil (notice I said the LOVE of money, not money itself). Despite reading God’s truth, many people are deceived by this world into thinking that God is holding out on us, but I know this to be false.

         The truth is, God designed us and knows exactly what is best for our lives. The Bible teaches us that God is love, so why would He give us anything but good?

         James 1:16-17 says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV).  God doesn’t just give us some good things or okay things. He gives us truly good things that the world cannot offer.

        Whereas the world often changes, God never does, and we can rest assured that He has our best interest at heart. He offers us good things. 

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas