Seeing God's Goodness in Every Circumstance

 

Summary

Today, we are invited to reconsider our perspectives on our circumstances and God's role in them. The central theme is the word "good," and we explore this through the lens of Dallas Willard's teachings and Trevor Hudson's journey to God. Trevor shares a poignant story of a friend who, burdened with doubts and grievances against God, found solace and transformation through a conversation with Dallas. This encounter led to a profound realization: to see every good thing as a gift from God and every not-good thing as not from God. This perspective shift became a turning point in his life.

The question we face is whether we are willing to adopt this view. This is not about denying the reality of pain or suffering but about recognizing that God is wholly good. This understanding is crucial because it forms the foundation of our trust in God. If God is not entirely good, how can we fully entrust our lives to Him? This was the struggle of Job, who questioned whether God sends bad things into our lives. The ancient Greeks believed in fate, an impersonal force that governed life without care or concern. In contrast, the teaching of Jesus presents a God who is intimately involved and working for our good.

The Apostle Paul assures us that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. This is echoed in the writings of Søren Kierkegaard, who cherished the verse from James 1:17, affirming that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Kierkegaard's life, marked by personal tragedy and misunderstanding, underscores the importance of seeing through the right lens. Our perception of what is good is often limited, much like a child who cannot discern the benefits of a painful but necessary medical treatment.

In our daily lives, we may encounter unexpected sources of joy, like a humorous incident involving a mouse that brought laughter and connection. These moments remind us that we often do not know what will bring us joy or goodness. The challenge is to see every good thing as a gift from God and to trust that God is working to redeem the bad. This perspective is foundational to our faith and invites us to have second thoughts about our circumstances and the goodness of God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Perspective Shift: Embrace the perspective that every good thing is a gift from God, and every not-good thing is not from God. This shift can transform our understanding of God's role in our lives and deepen our trust in His goodness. [02:44]

2. Trust in God's Goodness: Recognizing God as wholly good is essential for trusting Him completely. If we doubt His goodness, we cannot fully surrender our lives to Him. This understanding is foundational to our faith. [03:34]

3. The Struggle of Job: Like Job, we may question whether God sends bad things into our lives. However, the teaching of Jesus assures us that God is working for our good, even in difficult circumstances. [04:07]

4. Seeing Through the Right Lens: Our perception of what is good is often limited. We must learn to see through the right lens, recognizing that God's gifts may not always align with our immediate desires or understanding. [08:44]

5. Unexpected Sources of Joy: Life often presents unexpected sources of joy and goodness. By being open to these moments, we can experience God's gifts in surprising ways, even in situations that initially seem negative. [11:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:32] - Introduction and Invitation
- [00:46] - The Word for Today: Good
- [01:03] - Trevor Hudson's Story
- [01:47] - Encounter with Dallas Willard
- [02:27] - The Transforming Question
- [03:19] - Viewing God as Wholly Good
- [04:07] - The Struggle of Job
- [04:56] - Ancient Views on Fate
- [06:05] - The Teaching of Jesus
- [07:23] - Kierkegaard's Favorite Verse
- [08:26] - The Lens of Perception
- [09:35] - Understanding Goodness
- [10:54] - Unexpected Joy from a Mouse
- [11:35] - Recognizing God's Gifts

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
2. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
3. Job 2:10 - "He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the key question Dallas Willard asked Trevor Hudson's friend that led to a significant change in his life? [02:44]

2. How does the sermon describe the ancient Greek view of fate, and how does it contrast with the teaching of Jesus? [05:32]

3. What humorous incident involving a mouse is shared in the sermon, and what unexpected outcome did it lead to? [11:09]

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the word "good" in the context of creation as described in Genesis? [06:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the perspective of seeing every good thing as a gift from God and every not-good thing as not from God challenge or affirm one's understanding of God's nature? [02:44]

2. In what ways does the story of Job illustrate the struggle of understanding God's role in the presence of suffering and adversity? [04:07]

3. How does Søren Kierkegaard's favorite verse, James 1:17, reflect his understanding of God's unchanging goodness despite personal tragedy? [07:23]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of the lens through which we view our circumstances, and how might this affect our perception of God's gifts? [08:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced something good. How did you perceive it at the time, and how might you view it differently now as a gift from God? [02:44]

2. Consider a challenging circumstance you are currently facing. How can the perspective of God working for your good, as mentioned in Romans 8:28, influence your response to this situation? [06:19]

3. The sermon mentions unexpected sources of joy, like the mouse incident. Can you recall a time when something seemingly negative led to unexpected joy or goodness in your life? How did it change your perspective? [11:09]

4. How do you typically respond to doubts or grievances against God? What steps can you take to shift your perspective towards seeing God's goodness in your life? [01:17]

5. Job's story raises questions about accepting both good and trouble from God. How do you reconcile the presence of suffering with the belief in a wholly good God? [04:07]

6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the lens through which we view our circumstances. What practical steps can you take to adjust your perspective to better recognize God's gifts in your life? [08:44]

7. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for the everyday gifts in your life, such as a meal, a conversation, or a moment of laughter? What specific practice can you implement this week to acknowledge these as gifts from God? [11:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Gifts in Every Good Thing
Every good thing in our lives is a gift from God, and every not-good thing is not from Him. This perspective invites us to see our circumstances through a lens of gratitude and trust. By recognizing the source of goodness, we can transform our understanding of God's role in our lives. This shift is not about ignoring pain or suffering but about acknowledging that God is wholly good and desires our well-being. When we adopt this view, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, one that is built on trust and gratitude. [02:44]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: Think of a recent blessing in your life. How can you acknowledge it as a gift from God today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Unwavering Goodness
Recognizing God as wholly good is essential for trusting Him completely. If we doubt His goodness, we cannot fully surrender our lives to Him. This understanding is foundational to our faith, as it assures us that God is always working for our good, even when circumstances seem challenging. By trusting in God's goodness, we can find peace and strength in the midst of life's uncertainties. This trust allows us to surrender our fears and anxieties, knowing that God is in control and has our best interests at heart. [03:34]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's goodness? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?


Day 3: Learning from Job's Struggle
Like Job, we may question whether God sends bad things into our lives. However, the teaching of Jesus assures us that God is working for our good, even in difficult circumstances. Job's story reminds us that while we may not always understand why we face trials, we can trust that God is with us and has a purpose for our suffering. By holding onto this truth, we can find hope and resilience in the face of adversity, knowing that God is ultimately working for our redemption and growth. [04:07]

Job 42:2-3 (ESV): "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, even if the outcome was not what you expected?


Day 4: Seeing Through the Right Lens
Our perception of what is good is often limited, much like a child who cannot discern the benefits of a painful but necessary medical treatment. We must learn to see through the right lens, recognizing that God's gifts may not always align with our immediate desires or understanding. By trusting in God's wisdom and timing, we can embrace the good that He brings into our lives, even when it comes in unexpected forms. This perspective shift allows us to grow in faith and maturity, as we learn to see beyond our limited understanding. [08:44]

1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV): "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you struggled to see the good. How can you ask God to help you view it through His lens today?


Day 5: Finding Joy in Unexpected Places
Life often presents unexpected sources of joy and goodness. By being open to these moments, we can experience God's gifts in surprising ways, even in situations that initially seem negative. These moments remind us that we often do not know what will bring us joy or goodness, but God does. By trusting in His plan and being open to His surprises, we can find joy and connection in the most unlikely places, deepening our relationship with Him and with others. [11:09]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

Reflection: Recall a recent moment of unexpected joy. How can you remain open to God's surprises in your life today?

Quotes


Today the invitation is to have second thoughts about your circumstances and God and God's role in them and the word for today is good just that word good we're being guided through this by Dallas Ward I'm actually going to talk a bit from a book called seeking God by Trevor Hudson and Trevor is talking in this book about his journey to God and how he was helped by ignacius and Dallas Willard. [00:40:46]

Dallas greeted me warmly as to hear my story I had come prepared with a long list of grievances against others God and myself mostly though against the uncaring nature of God as I told my story about how I had hurt others and how God didn't seem to care Dallas listened every now and then he would interject with gracefield questions. [00:97:40]

Our meeting concluded with a transforming blessing Dallas had listened patiently to my rantings against the God who ignores and who favors discriminately he asked if I might do one thing when we parted he said something like are you willing to see everything that is good as being a gift from God and everything that is not good as not being from God. [00:138:59]

What is becoming increasingly clear to me I think more so today than ever before is the importance of viewing God as holy and nothing other than good because if that's not the case how can I trust him how could I ever abandon my life to him and of course I can't make myself see him this way but Dallas question is the right one. [00:202:92]

This I think was job's great struggle in uh the story of job after his second round of suffering when job's wife tells him to curse God and die his response is should we accept good from God and not and then a word that's a bit difficult to translate not trouble uh often is translated evil not bad things job is struggling now with is God the kind of person who sends bad things into my life. [00:238:68]

The teaching of Jesus is fundamentally different and the word is good in the first chapter of Genesis the story of creation eight times that word Thunders climaxed with and it was very good God made human beings very good Paul says when he's writing to the church in Rome for in all things now that's without exception God is working for the good of those who love him. [00:359:91]

Kugar writes that uh we have this great question can I see if this gift is a good thing for God in my life from God in my life and he says it's not just a question of what you see because what you see will depend on how you see what's the lens you look through. [00:506:03]

Are you willing to see every good thing in your life as a gift from God and anything that is not good is not coming from God now of course part of this Kar writes involves the reality that often we don't know what is good for for us I I go to a doctor and the doctor knows that a shot will be good for me but it's going to be painful for me so I don't want it but it is still a good gift. [00:553:04]

We did not think that that Mouse would be a good thing but the greatest joy that we got all day we would not have gotten if it were not for that Mouse which we will celebrate we still want him out of the house Baxter is useless for this don't tell us to get a cat because we're not getting a cat the point is we don't know in this life what comes into our life that is going to be a source of Joy or good goodness. [00:667:83]

Here's the question for today are you willing to see every good thing every bite that you eat every breath that you take every bird song that you hear every blue sky that you see every piece of music every smile on the face every encouraging word from a friend every bit that you read so that you can learn and grow the good work that are you willing to see all of these as a gift from God. [00:690:04]

That's a gift that's a gift that's a gift and that the bad that comes into your life is not from God that there is nothing bad in God that God is not evil cannot be tempted by evil but is working to redeem it that is very foundational are you willing second thoughts today on the circumstances of your day and the goodness of our God. [00:720:76]

Hey if you enjoyed that video be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes from John orberg or become new you can also head to our website become new.com where we have a bunch more resources you might be interested in like free downloads books and a library of videos for you to explore learning how to grow spiritually one day at a time. [00:747:80]

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Transcript
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