Don't Worry Be Happy...d ddd d dddd Don't Worry

I can choose to complain or I can choose to comply. It is up to me how I deal with our current housing circumstances. Comply is just another optimistic term I am using for perseverance in our time of trouble. But, these 'sucky' circumstances have caused me to revisit a long pondered biblical issue.

What is Good?

Typically I would define good as something that produces a positive result or consequence. Like selling our house to get money to get out of debt and finally get us to where God has called us, namely, Greenville! Or to win a law suit over the mortgage company, who has strung us along for the past 4 months promising relief from our HIGH mortgage payment, only to find out, from a lawyer, that we have no case!...breathe...breathe...Okay, so I am a little miffed about the mortgage situation.

Nonetheless, we are where we are. The house is now off the market so we can refinance and access some cash to upgrade the kitchen and master bath, making the house more marketable. Again, so what is Good? What good can this situation possibly produce...and in my typical fake Christian, plastic smile, gritting my teeth...I would say "God is good." All the while, discouraged, dejected and spiritually dead.

But that is not where I am. I know so many Pastors who fake their way through pain and frustration in their faith, so they can lOOk like they've got it all together, and if you know me, you know that is not me.

I am truly hopeful. God is clear about what is good. "Good is to be defined in relationship to the will and being of God. Good is what glorifies Him, fulfills His will, and conforms to His nature." (pg.450 Erikkson)

Romans 8:28-29
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

I know, cliche' verse...but it is true, especially when you understand that this is not a guarantee to have everything easy but to have God's perspective of the whole story of your life, not just the here and now.

God works out good for those who are using their circumstances to draw closer to, and become like, His Son. Good results/consequences (especially temporary ones)don't define God's will or nature, but can be a positive result of His will and nature working. The cross is a perfect example of momentary suffering for the overall welfare of mankind. Though it is heart wrenching to remember "The Lord's Supper" or images of "The Passion" movie, Christ's crucifixion was very necessary.

So I lean on this verse time and time again..."For our LIGHT and MOMENTARY troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" 2Cor. 4:17 (The eternal glory is deepening your relationship with The Father God).