God is good . . . even the God of adversity

 God is good . . . all the time . . . right? What about when He is the God of adversity . . . when things do not go your way for a while . . . especially when He has been so good for so long?

What do you prefer: 

• a sunny beach vacation or a week of thunderstorms and being stuck indoors?
• an intimate four corse meal with a loved one or day-old burned burgers and dogs from the grill?
• a calm, sweet, cohesive classroom environment or one of chaos and mischief?
• things going as planned or everything hitting the fan at once?

Whatever is going on, God is still God!How we handle things however, let's others know, especially our students and families. 

God is good . . .Over the past year and a half, God has been real good to my family and me . . . real good (house sale, move, car, etc)!  

But then He allowed some adversity . . . 

• Planned (delayed by covid) anniversary trip to Italy cancelled (passports and $$$$)
• Wife's injury lasting waaay too long for me
• Planned week at Myrtle Beach (substitute for Italy!)cancelled due to scheduling.
• Yet in the end, we were able to have a neighborhood VBS in our yard with some neighborhood kids as we had planned!

The God of adversity is still good!

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1)

This past year and a half my wife and I have learned to deal with ups and downs. We did not always handle things right the first time. We feel as though we got in God's way. We have come to understand that He knows what is best for us He will always have His way if we simply get out of His way!

We will have our ups and downs at home and in the classroom this year. 

• Family members will get sick
• Lesson plans will be torn up
• Fire drills will happen
• Our best plans may never come to fruition . . .

Yet God is still God . . . even the God of adversity!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:1-6)

So plan your days but expect adversity. 

How we handle things reflects the God we serve!