Do You Trust God’s Goodness?

Have you ever tried to make a deal with God? Have you tried to bargain with him to get out of something you sense he’s calling you to do, something you don’t want to do because it’s uncomfortable, challenging, or inconvenient? Did you try to give a half-hearted effort to show God that it wasn’t something you could do? Did he call your bluff?

Just me? I don’t think so because there’s a story in the Bible that sounds very familiar. It’s along the lines of how I tried to get out of something God wanted me to do.

In Judges 6-7, we read about Gideon, a young boy threshing wheat in a winepress to try to hide his activity from the Midianites. God sends an angel who tells him to save Israel from its oppressive rulers. Gideon tries to make excuses for why he can’t do it, but God shows him his power and tells him he will be with him.

Gideon obeys God’s first order to destroy an altar to a foreign god and build one to God in its place, but he does so under the cover of night because he’s afraid. God then gives him a second order, to lead the Israelites into battle against the Midianites. Gideon asks for a sign from God twice to prove that God is really calling him to do it. God provides the proof, and Gideon moves forward, obeying God completely and defeating the Midianites.

Gideon experiences fear and tries to wriggle out of the difficult and uncomfortable tasks God has assigned to him. But God does not give up on Gideon or make him feel bad for needing reassurance. He is patient and helps Gideon overcome his reluctance and fear, providing him with what he needs in order to be faithful and complete God’s instructions.

Several years ago, I was struggling with a couple of my friendships. Both people were dealing with difficult situations and were in very negative headspaces. I wanted to be able to support and encourage them, but after each get-together, I felt drained and frustrated. I didn’t think there was anything I could really do to help. I couldn’t change their circumstances. I was tired of helping them carry their heavy burdens.

I tried bargaining with God to get off the hook, doing the minimum in obedience. After not having contact with either person for a while, I thought perhaps God was releasing me, but then the Holy Spirit then prompted me to write each of my friends a note. I told God and myself that if they didn’t respond, I would take it as a sign that I was no longer bound to the relationship. I wrote and sent the letters. Only one person responded. My responsibilities had been cut in half, but they were still challenging.

As circumstances became increasingly difficult, I continued to try to justify stepping away from that remaining relationship. I talked to people about what I was experiencing and feeling, about my desire to drop the relationship, and was able to find support for this. However, a person who had historically provided wisdom, often wisdom I didn’t want to hear, encouraged me to continue to be faithful in reaching out. I knew they were right and did as they suggested, but begrudgingly.

At the same time, I participated in a Bible study that asked us to look at the challenging things God was asking us to do in our lives and really consider the purpose of them. That challenging relationship immediately sprang to mind. I was reminded that God has good purposes for the things he does and that I should choose to trust that there was a blessing to be found in my relationship. Perhaps my presence and faithfulness could provide encouragement or needed support. Just because I only offered an ear and encouraging words didn’t mean my contribution wasn’t meaningful or that God wasn’t working through it.

I chose to believe that God had a purpose for my presence and was working behind the scenes to create something good for both of us. This confidence in God strengthened my resolution not to abandon my struggling friend.

Jesus told a story of a shepherd who left his flock to find one lost sheep (Luke 15). God wants us to be part of the search party to find the lonely and abandoned. God draws us to himself with lovingkindness. Sometimes that’s our purpose in other people’s lives. I couldn’t imagine how my friend’s faith was holding up in light of all she was experiencing, but I could lend her some of my hope and belief.

God changed my perspective through studying the Scriptures of the prophet Jonah, who grudgingly obeyed God after his initial rebellion. God wanted to save the city of Nineveh and chose Jonah to be his messenger. God would have used someone else had Jonah never submitted, but then Jonah would have missed out on the work God wanted to do in his life. God was after the hearts of both Jonah and the Ninevites. And he was after my heart as well as my friend’s.

I’ve learned that I don’t want to miss out on the blessings and growth God has for me. Sometimes this will mean enduring discomfort, awkwardness, inconvenience, and challenges. I may be required to sit with those who mourn or struggle even though I feel helpless. But I’m never truly helpless because God is always with me.

May this truth be in the forefront of our minds so that we can put aside our desire for comfort and ease and reach out to the people we see struggling. Let’s be the good news of love and grace to those around us, especially the hurting and difficult people in our lives.

Megan Byrd enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and introverting. She loves nothing better than discovering a wanted book in a thrift store or hiking alongside a river with her family or a good friend somewhere around her home of Asheville, NC. She’s the author of Between Us Girls and can be found chronicling her reading and writing journey @megan.e.byrd on Instagram or writing about life at www.meganbyrd.net.

Photograph © Joel Mott, used with permission