I have had the Covid vaccination, and the booster. I have also had the flu shot, that is touted to guard against an array of different flu types. And now, I sit here in my living room with both Flu type A and Covid. Teresa is also suffering from this double whammy, her symptoms being much worse than mine.

This is not a statement in opposition to the vaccinations, but a simple observation from my recliner. Life is filled with uncertainties. We can plan, prepare, and even put into place safeguards that we think will protect us from some of these eventualities, and still find ourselves in the throes of some malady or tragedy. For those of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ, and who trust that He will care for us by His power and grace, we might be a bit confused about some of these negative experiences in life.

Some seem to believe that those who place their faith in the Lord should never have to worry about suffering the ills, difficulties, and tragedies of this life. There are those proponents of the prosperity gospel who teach that a sincere believer should experience nothing but health, wealth, and happiness. But the common lot of all humankind is the experience of troubles and difficulties of differing measure and magnitude.

Teresa and I could choose to be upset with God about allowing us (or should I dare to say, cause us) to come down with this double whammy. We could raise a defiant fist in His face, screaming at the top of our raspy voices, “WHY?” Or, we could say with that great old sage, Job,

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?

Job 1:21; 2:10b, NKJV

Job seemed to grasp a theological truth that many, perhaps even most, never get. He understood the truth that God’s goodness should never be equated with the good things God does. Perhaps it would be wise to reread that preceding sentence. Why? Because it seems that a vast majority of professing believers seem to think that God’s goodness is to be understood by the multitudes of good things He does. But what about those bad things: family dysfunction, financial disasters, health problems, personal tragedies, etc. etc. that catch us completely off guard? What about those perplexing seasons of hardship and heartache?

Are we to think less of God, or at least less of His goodness, when it doesn’t appear He is coming through for us? Are we to grow disgruntled with Him when He allows us to suffer in some way or another? Are we to become embittered against Him, angry because He has let us down?

Or are we to respond in the same manner as Job? Are we to acknowledge the fact that the Lord gives, and He takes away, but He is always good in how He chooses to act? Certainly, this is the response of faith. Trusting God when we can’t see nor understand what He might be doing and believing that He is always at work for the good of those who love Him.

Some reading this may not be aware of some extremely serious health issues Teresa has been through in the past three years. Without going into detail, just let me say that due to those issues her immune system has been compromised severely, and this causes her to be far more susceptible to contracting illnesses of varying kinds much easier than those who have strong immune systems. I could cry out against God, reminding Him that in His sovereignty He has all power to deal with all manner of disease and difficulty, and that He has power to heal any and all sickness and illness. But the reaction of faith is to trust God with the situation and commit the outcome to Him.

God is good – all the time. The circumstances, situations and eventualities of life should not be allowed to cause bitterness against God but should be a reminder that we get far better than we deserve all through life. And in the end, we get to spend eternity in that place Jesus has gone to prepare for those who love Him and are longing for His appearance. What could possibly be better than that?

Blessing!