God is Good: Truth that Calms the Troubled Soul
A devotional by Jennifer Reese
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”—Psalm 84:11 (ESV)
Recently, I was expressing some of my concerns and anxieties to a good friend.
I was facing some unknowns and trying to hope for great news at an appointment the following day but was also anxious about what could happen or what might be true. I was torn between desiring to fight for hope and giving in to the feelings of the deep anxiety that was troubling my soul.
As I finished my statement with “I’m excited and hopeful, but anxious and nervous.” This friend simply responded, “Mmm. God is good.” This response caught me off guard not because I do not believe that God is good, but because in my moment of anxiety I did not see how this truth was helpful or responsive to my concern.
As I reflected on those words and shared that reply with my husband, I felt stumped. My husband agreed that it was an unexpected response, but he encouraged me to reflect on the truth of the statement and let it help me to trust the Lord with my concern.
Later that evening during my prayer time with God, I continued questioning, “Why was that their response, Lord? I don’t really understand.” Shortly after, a song came to mind that I began to hum amid my continued reflection, but I could not piece together which song it was. However, after a few minutes, I was able to recall enough of the lyrics to remember its name. The song is titled “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”. The lyrics discuss various truths about who God is—one being that He is good, which is the truth that can calm a troubled soul.
Further into the song, it causes the listener to ponder how it is Jesus Christ who holds our faith when fears arise, when we face trials, and when the waves of life just overwhelm us. As we reflect on these truths, then hope eternal arises from within us. This hope can never be taken from us. As I listened to this song and read through the lyrics, tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down my face. I finally began to understand that the truth spoken to me was the very truth that could in fact calm my troubled soul.
I realized this: In that moment of despair, if all I am thinking about are the endless “What if?” scenarios that are flooding my head then my mind is far away from focusing on the truths of the Lord. I am not even remotely believing in God’s goodness, His faithful character, and His desire to provide good blessings for His children, et cetera. I am only looking to myself and my own resources and circumstances. In that very moment, I needed to be reminded that ultimately no matter the outcome God is good, all the time. Even more so, He is truly my only true and lasting hope in life and death.
No other truth can truly calm our souls. No other reality brings our souls true peace. In moments of anxiety, fear, concern, and uncertainty, our souls are looking for something that is true and sure. The only truth that is for sure, for those of us in Jesus Christ, is this: The Lord is with us, He loves us, He cares for us, we are safe in His care, all that happens is for our good and His glory, and He has a perfect plan to lead us through whatever situation life throws at us. In Christ, we stand safe and secure in the presence of the Lord, and we have nothing to fear. As we look to Christ and cling to His promises and Truth, then His peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), will calm our troubled soul and remind us of where our true and only hope comes from: Christ and Christ alone.
As we come to the end of another year, I have no idea what your year has been like. Maybe it has been the best year, the hardest year, a mundane year, etc. Maybe you are battling the tension of anxiety to hope that the coming year will be better than this one, or that you will finally see certain answers to certain prayers. Maybe you are having a hard time believing God is good and are struggling to take any sort of comfort from that Truth. Wherever you are, the Lord knows, the Lord sees, and the Lord cares.
I encourage you as we finish this year and head into a new one, that you would run to the Lord with a heart of hope, believing that God is good. I pray you will examine your heart and see where you are looking for your hope and peace. Is there a situation, a relationship, a job, financial status, etc., that tempts you to believe that if you just had that one thing then you could trust that God is good? Is there something that happened this past year that has caused you to doubt the truth that God is good and has good and perfect plans for your life? Is there something you desire but feel like the Lord is holding out on you? Is there something you are afraid to pray and hope for this coming year? Take some time to journal and explore where your heart and soul truly stand regarding to thoughts and beliefs about the Lord.
At the end of the day, nothing you can possess this side of Heaven will ever be able to satisfy and supply your soul with the hope and peace that it seeks. Only Christ can. May this coming year be one of pursuit in believing this truth with all your mind, soul, and strength. The Lord is so good. We can truly trust Him in, with, and through all things. Believe His goodness, precious care, and tender love for you today.
Let’s Pray: Father God, thank You for being my one and only hope. Thank You that no matter in life and in death, You alone are my only true hope. Thank You that I can experience true hope and peace as I seek to find rest for my restless soul in Your Word and promises. I ask for Your help today and this next year. Oh Lord, teach me how to find peace and hope in believing Your goodness, care, and love for me. Please teach me to cling to the Truth that You are good, despite what I may be facing. May my heart trust Your good intentions, perfect wisdom, and sufficient provision so that I may truly walk in peace and hope every day. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection #1: “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by the Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Peace” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #4: “God is Good” by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #5: “Lord You Are Good” by Todd Galberth. Listen to it here.
I realized this: In that moment of despair, if all I am thinking about are the endless “What if?” scenarios that are flooding my head then my mind is far away from focusing on the truths of the Lord. I am not even remotely believing in God’s goodness, His faithful character, and His desire to provide good blessings for His children, et cetera. I am only looking to myself and my own resources and circumstances. In that very moment, I needed to be reminded that ultimately no matter the outcome God is good, all the time. Even more so, He is truly my only true and lasting hope in life and death.
No other truth can truly calm our souls. No other reality brings our souls true peace. In moments of anxiety, fear, concern, and uncertainty, our souls are looking for something that is true and sure. The only truth that is for sure, for those of us in Jesus Christ, is this: The Lord is with us, He loves us, He cares for us, we are safe in His care, all that happens is for our good and His glory, and He has a perfect plan to lead us through whatever situation life throws at us. In Christ, we stand safe and secure in the presence of the Lord, and we have nothing to fear. As we look to Christ and cling to His promises and Truth, then His peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), will calm our troubled soul and remind us of where our true and only hope comes from: Christ and Christ alone.
As we come to the end of another year, I have no idea what your year has been like. Maybe it has been the best year, the hardest year, a mundane year, etc. Maybe you are battling the tension of anxiety to hope that the coming year will be better than this one, or that you will finally see certain answers to certain prayers. Maybe you are having a hard time believing God is good and are struggling to take any sort of comfort from that Truth. Wherever you are, the Lord knows, the Lord sees, and the Lord cares.
I encourage you as we finish this year and head into a new one, that you would run to the Lord with a heart of hope, believing that God is good. I pray you will examine your heart and see where you are looking for your hope and peace. Is there a situation, a relationship, a job, financial status, etc., that tempts you to believe that if you just had that one thing then you could trust that God is good? Is there something that happened this past year that has caused you to doubt the truth that God is good and has good and perfect plans for your life? Is there something you desire but feel like the Lord is holding out on you? Is there something you are afraid to pray and hope for this coming year? Take some time to journal and explore where your heart and soul truly stand regarding to thoughts and beliefs about the Lord.
At the end of the day, nothing you can possess this side of Heaven will ever be able to satisfy and supply your soul with the hope and peace that it seeks. Only Christ can. May this coming year be one of pursuit in believing this truth with all your mind, soul, and strength. The Lord is so good. We can truly trust Him in, with, and through all things. Believe His goodness, precious care, and tender love for you today.
Let’s Pray: Father God, thank You for being my one and only hope. Thank You that no matter in life and in death, You alone are my only true hope. Thank You that I can experience true hope and peace as I seek to find rest for my restless soul in Your Word and promises. I ask for Your help today and this next year. Oh Lord, teach me how to find peace and hope in believing Your goodness, care, and love for me. Please teach me to cling to the Truth that You are good, despite what I may be facing. May my heart trust Your good intentions, perfect wisdom, and sufficient provision so that I may truly walk in peace and hope every day. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection #1: “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by the Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock (Live)” by Travis Cottrell. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Peace” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #4: “God is Good” by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #5: “Lord You Are Good” by Todd Galberth. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Jennifer Reese obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Ministry in Intercultural Studies, and certifications in Biblical Counseling.
Her educational training has afforded Jennifer the opportunity to work with various populations—such as foster care and adoption, refugee women, homeless, under-resourced youth, international students, and local churches. It has been through these experiences that she has seen a need for women of all ages to understand their true identity as a child of God in order to experience the promised abundant life and freedom.
By working as a Biblical Counselor and Coach, Jennifer focuses on helping women and teen girls discover who God is and to know their true identity in Jesus Christ. Through her professional work and ministry, she helps people learn how to carry out their specific purpose and calling in building God’s Kingdom that is not of this world.
On a personal note, Jennifer recently got married on May 24, 2025. The day was filled with abundant joy and peace, bringing glory to the Lord and wonderful fellowship with their closest friends and family. After many years of praying and waiting for this gift, Jennifer is excited to step into this new season and ministry of being a wife and hopefully, one day soon, a mom.
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Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.rootedandfixed.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rootedandfixed
Email address: rootedandfixed@gmail.com
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