IS God really good all the time?

"God is good...all the time." Do I believe it? I would like to say "of course I do", and I will say that deep down I do believe in God's absolute perfect goodness, 100%. But, I hear this phrase most often said at "good times" in the lives of people. For instance, a baby is born healthy! God is good...all the time! An illness is cured! God is good...all the time! An accident is prevented! God is good...all the time! A job promotion! God is good...all the time!

 Please don't think I am discounting God's goodness in ALL these situations because I am not. Yes, these blessings are wonderful and cause us to look to God and proclaim His goodness. But I can't help but wonder...If a baby is stillborn, is God still good? If an illness is terminal, is God still good? If a child has a terrible accident which leaves them with severe brain damage, is God still good? If a job is lost and a family is left wondering how they can possibly survive financially, is God still good?

 Because my faith and my Bible tell me so, Yes, He is still good. However, in the middle of these situations, would I truly feel that? Are my friends who are facing these very situations feeling the goodness of God or are they wondering how God allows such tragedies? I think it was Job who said something like..."Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" So it seems God is allowing both good and bad to happen in our lives and whatever it may be...His goodness remains.

 As I stated, I hear this proclamation almost exclusively when an obvious "good thing" or blessing has happened and I do not doubt the sincerely of the proclaimer. It just always makes me wonder of those who are facing not so many "good things" and if they make the same proclamation. You don't often hear "God is good all the time! I have three months to live." or "My child didn't make it after the terrible wreck. God is good all the time!" I don't mean to sound "glib"...it's just something I think about.

 My pastor's wife left this world 3 years ago and I hear him say so often, "God does all things well." This is a testament to his true trust and belief in God's goodness, even in the midst of his deep, deep sorrow. I have seen this faith in Laura Malone, Tandy Nash, my own daughter, and so many others...if I were not a believer, their faith would stir me to become one. I do believe that God is good all the time. I only hope that when trials come my way (and I know they will), I can say that "God does all things well." To those facing what seem like unbearable circumstances, I offer my prayer that you will be able to lean on the God that IS good all the time. May you find that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. God bless.