Oh, Goodness

If everything in our lives we knew to be good was gone, would we still say God is good? What if his goodness is grounded in something more than our experiences? What if that goodness actually runs so deep that it can never be erased from our souls...the very place we need to believe it most? Maybe God's goodness isn't about a set of events after all. Maybe his goodness is how he takes every event and molds us and changes us into something beautiful- even when the very thing we've...
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If everything in our lives we knew to be good was gone, would we still say God is good? What if his goodness is grounded in something more than our experiences? What if that goodness actually runs so deep that it can never be erased from our souls...the very place we need to believe it most? Maybe God's goodness isn't about a set of events after all. Maybe his goodness is how he takes every event and molds us and changes us into something beautiful- even when the very thing we've experienced is anything but. Whether you know it or not, you've probably heard a part of Maria's story. News articles and T.V. screens nationwide were plastered with, "Plane from Indiana crashes in Michigan, two killed." In Oh, Goodness, Maria will take you with her as she reflects back on discovering the true goodness of God in a way that is authentic, honest, and raw. Maria connects us with the many facets of her own humanity as we join her on a journey where she asks a very simple yet profound question. "God, if you are good then why..." In this book, Maria doesn't tolerate a cookie cutter answer to such a question. If we don't believe God is good in all circumstances, then why on earth would we ever be a Christian?At some point, life is hard and painful. It's in that season we learn just where our faith lies. If God is really good then why... From the Author: This Bible study was written as a follow up to my book, "oh, goodness". The book was written with the purpose of getting you curious about discovering God's goodness in your own life. This Bible study, however, is written with the purpose of equipping you to tell of it after you discover it. How awesome would it be if every one of you wrote your own story of God's goodness? I am not ashamed to say that my prayer continues to be that we won't just know but have faith that God is good. I spent seven years writhing in grief, pain, loss, and anxiety all stemming from this question, "How can this be good?!" I heard people try to encourage me with words, trying to convince me terrible tragedy was a part of God's plan and therefore good. I was confused, alone, and felt hopeless. It was in that place God began to teach me, through his word, about his goodness. What I found was something different than what others had tried to describe. I am sharing my journey with you because I believe sharing is what God calls us to do. We are going to read his word, meditate on his word, and consider his word through this study. The discovering of one's story often requires a journey back to remember and reflect, and the study is set up that way- as a journey. You will notice I use language that suggests we are on an actual journey because I don't want you to miss that our relationship with Jesus is more like a journey than a formula. I am praying for you as you prepare to take a journey that will set you free in Christ: discovering God's goodness when life isn't good.to your freedom,Maria Hatch - Bowersockp.s. Share your at www.namedfreeministries.comJoin the conversation!Instagram: @mariahatchbowersockon Twitter: @mariabnfm