Looking for God’s Goodness while Waiting on His Good
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (NLT)
“I know God can work all things for good,” I admit as we sit outside the coffee shop, hot mugs in our hands and warm sunshine on our backs. “I just wish He’d give me a glimpse of what He’s doing in all this.”
My friend doesn’t need a detailed definition of this. She’s walked me through a recent heartache and prayed with me for a miracle. She’s shown up with groceries, lattes and hugs and has refused to offer pithy platitudes when the outcome of our prayers don’t match the longing of our hearts.
I pull a yellow slip of paper from my pocket and hand it to her so she can read my scribbles: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose…(Romans 8:28a)
For months, I’ve carried this promise around as a reminder that even though my circumstances don’t feel good, God is still working for my good.
I’ve turned Romans 8:28 into a prayer of faith, and I’ve waited expectantly for God to answer. Yet as my circumstances remain unchanging my hope is slowly waning.
My conversations with God have begun to shift from, “I know you can take this mess and do something marvelous with it,” to “Where are you and what are you doing?”
As we sip our coffee, I wrap words around my discouragement and my friend listens without judgment. She nods in understanding, then speaks a gentle truth. “Even when we can’t see how God is working for our good, we can choose to see His goodness.”
Her wisdom dangles in the silence between us as she digs for something in her purse. “I carry a verse with me, too,” she says with a playful wink. “It’s a reminder to open my eyes.”
She hands me her phone, and I read the pixelated promise splayed across the screen:
“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).
The verse brings both comfort and conviction. When did I stop noticing the Lord’s goodness? I wonder as the Psalmist’s words stir my heart.
We head home when our coffee grows cold, and I tuck that crumpled piece of yellow paper inside my prayer journal. I won’t stop believing God’s promise in Romans 8:28 and waiting in expectation. But there’s something I need to do in the meantime.
I turn to a fresh page in my journal. Lord, help me to see your goodness, I whisper. I slow my swirling thoughts and think back through the moments of my day. Then, I put pen to paper and name what I see:
*A friend who speaks in love
*Ice-laced branches sparkling in the sun
*Laughter around the dinner table.
My discouragement doesn’t instantly disappear, but as I turn my scribbles into praises, my heart feels lighter, my frustration grows quieter.
I close my journal and fold the corner of the page to mark my spot. Tomorrow I will pause to notice again.
Because a wise friend is teaching me that even before we see God’s promised good, we can rejoice in His present goodness.
And it’s there–at the intersection of faith and sight–that hope grows.
Dear Jesus, I know you are good and you are good to me. Please open my eyes to see your gifts of goodness. Restore my hope as I wait to see how you’re working all things for good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sweet friends, I don’t know where life finds you today, but I do know that I’m thankful you found a few minutes to linger here. I pray that these words buoy your hope and give you courage to keep walking in the tension of faith and sight. I love Romans 8:28, and I savor the sweet assurance that God is always working for good on the behalf of those who love Him. But I know that sometimes our circumstances dare us to doubt that promise. So, today, if you find yourself in a season of waiting—on an answered prayer, a divine solution, a touch of healing, a move of restoration—I invite you to join me in this one simple habit. While we wait to see God’s promised good, let’s pause to see His present goodness. We could start right now! Let’s celebrate His goodness together. If you have time, tell us one way you’ve seen God’s goodness today.
Great article! Growing up, I realized we don’t need to worry too much about our problems. It will go away because God will help us. Just trust in him with all your heart. Sooner or later, you will be blessed more than you deserve.
I have been seeing God’s goodness and grace in the time and energy He has given me in the mornings to be in His Word and prayer before my toddler daughter wakes up. Lately God has been waking me up before my alarm, and I am so thankful to get to start each day focusing on Him. Romans 8:28 (&29, which defines the “good” He is working: that we are made more like Christ!) are my favorite Bible verses of all time, and now I can couple it with Psalm 27:13, to choose to see His goodness now! Thank you for your encouragement!
Thanks for this, you write beautifully. I found this interesting, “I just wish He’d give me a glimpse of what He’s doing in all this.” In my experience, He does give us glimpses but not often of what He is doing rather of the fact that He is with us. But the grand plan cannot be revealed, our faith needs to grow and be used. Imagine if God told Paul (in his time), 2000+ years from now Alicia and many others will read from your writings, she will post on her blog and impact many believers that’s why you have to remain in prison. And Paul would ask, Lord, what is a blog? One of the reasons He doesn’t reveal much is because we would not understand anyway. His ways are so much higher than ours. Today I was blessed to read your post and the encouraging comments as well.
I saw God’s goodness as I looked into my husband’s precious face as he offered his hand to steady me as I stumbled on feet not wanting to walk right.
I celebrated God’s goodness today as I realized others are waiting for God’s answers by thanking Him for His answers to other prayers. As I wait, I thank Him for giving me His comfort as I wait knowing He is working on my request!
Dorothy, this picture of your husband is such a poignant visual of God’s goodness right now. What a beautiful visual of King Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Giving thanks with you now and praying for comfort as you wait on God.
I saw God’s goodness in my recent re-do surgery for a broken wrist in a lot of loving friends and delicious meals. Even though I didn’t want to go through this again so soon, He is so faithful!
Yes! Thank you, Lord, for loving friends who show up with meals and the gift of their compassionate presence. Praying for swift and complete healing of your wrist, too.
God’s goodness came this morning in the form of this blog, I am seeing a surgeon today and felt afraid and alone. I know God is always with me, always, even in this season of restoration, renewed faith and knowing that God is carrying me RIGHT NOW.
Mar,
I am praying that you will physically FEEL God’s love and goodness around you this whole day. No matter what the circumstances are that you are facing, may you KNOW you are not alone! May God help you to know that what you want to believe, that He is working and is faithful, become a reality as you face this giant! Asking Him to send other Christians to surround you with His love.
I found God’s goodness in the encouragement of this post. I was recently diagnosed with complete loss of hearing in my left ear after battling with ear problems the last three months. Many times in those months I’ve asked “where are you God in all of this? Do you see me God?” But I know He is faithful and is helping me everyday!
Mar, I am so grateful this blog showed up right on time in your inbox. I am praying for you today- asking God to make His nearness known in a sweet and undeniable way. Thank you for taking a moment to share with us.
I’m celebrating God’s goodness for timeliness of this blog post, as I continue to find work that I can be fulfilling in. I have felt discouraged so this was so good to read today. Great reminder of his faithfulness. Thank you 😊❤️
Praising God with you for the gift of timely encouragement!
About 9 months ago a person going through a difficult time in his life, I encouraged to try going to church, to look for God to help his broken heart. Today, I saw God’s goodness when that person shared with me he found Jesus at church, he found hope in salvation and the Word, God blessed him with a fiancé who loves God, and he is sharing the good news with others! It’s exciting to see God working in his life!
Wow! This testimony brings me to tears. Praise Jesus! What a beautiful transformation. Thanks for sharing:)
I saw God’s goodness today in that I’m physically able to do more than last year when I went through debilitating pain all over my body
Oh yes, Angie! I’m celebrating this marked improvement with you. May God continue to heal, strengthen, and comfort you:)
I saw God’s goodness in the testimonies shared at a friend’s Homegoing Celebration of Life for the woman of God that she was in life. One who loved the Lord, her husband, kids, family, friends and served all she met and knew…..all for God’s glory.
The testimony of a life lived for Jesus is so powerful! Thank you, Lord, for this long glimpse of your goodness:)
I saw God’s goodness today when I celebrated with my daughter, who passed her college exam with flying colors.
Hooray for your daughter! Cheering and praising right along with you, Claudia, as you celebrate this proud mama moment.
I had to lose my home in foreclosure but the Lord found me another home to rent and he surprises me often with God Winks that remind me He Sees He Knows He is with me.
I experienced His goodness today when my vet called to change my dog’s appointment to today instead of waiting for tomorrow because a severe snow storm is coming tomorrow and we wouldn’t be able to get there because of the snow. Thank You, Lord!
Such a blessing! So thankful for doctors and clinics who care and meet the needs of our loved ones, including our furry family!
I saw God’s goodness in my daughter’s love of the Lord and talking with her about amazing things he is doing in her life.
This is beautiful Debbie! Rejoicing with you!
Donna, what a gracious glimpse of God’s goodness! I’m not sure there’s anything sweeter than witnessing our kids growing in love for the Lord and having a front-row-seat to God’s work in their lives. No wonder the Apostle John writes this in 3 John 4-“The greatest joy in my life is hearing how my children are walking in the truth.” Yes and Amen!
I celebrated God’s goodness over the weekend as I joined a dear friend at her daughter’s wedding. It was so fun to see this answer to prayer! (And it reminded me to keep praying for my own kids’ future spouses, too!)