Does God Always Do What Is Best for Everyone?

To say that Jonah was a complex person is to understate the mixture of responses he demonstrated in being selected to take God’s message to the evil city of Nineveh. He failed to show compassion when the people repented and God graciously forgave them.

Imagine Jonah in a state of rage yelling at God for saving Nineveh. Listen to his tirade: “I knew you were a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind and always ready to change your mind and not punish.” His rage soon turned to depression, followed by a wish to die.

An important lesson for us to learn is, God does not act according to our assessment of a situation, but does what is best for everyone. You, like Jonah, may disagree. 

As you face an uncertain time, God will give you clarity on how to manage your situation as you cooperate with him to bring about his perfect will.                      

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The Lord says: “My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours.” 

~Isaiah 55:8-9 Contemporary English Version 

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 

~Psalm 145:3 New International Version 

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Can Joy Be Found in What God Provides?

A man well into his midlife years labeled a current significant loss as the story of his life. For this person, others always have been to blame for the tragedies he consistently has experienced. If this attitude continues into his senior years, he is in danger of developing permanent bitterness.

To prevent bitterness, each person must acknowledge the existence of what is good and find joy in what God is providing. 

This will not negate irresponsible choices of the past, but help you establish new patterns and choices for living now and in the future.

God is always at work to show you how to benefit from the obvious mistakes of the past. Believe God is concerned for your future, which potentially can be good as you cooperate with God to make it good. Pray for guidance in finding godly, successful people to mentor you. Trust in the Lord always instead of your own understanding. 

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My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.

~James 1:2-4 Contemporary English Version

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