Sometimes people wonder about how God works to guide us in life. An often-asked question is "If God is our loving Father and protector, why doesn't He keep bad things from happening to good people?"
 

God's love, protection, and guidance is constant and never-failing. But He has also given us a very healthy dose of free-will. He doesn't force us to make the vast majority of decisions we make - and He also doesn't keep us from making errors or bad choices. We must take responsibility for the consequences of our own decisions.

We must also recognize that we live in a fallen world, full of natural disasters - floods, earthquakes, droughts, disease -- and filled with dishonest, angry, and bitter people, who become terrorists, drug dealers, murderers, thieves...whom also had free will to be exercised for good, or evil.

God doesn't snatch us out of the world to protect us, but His Word tells us that He walks through life with us, never leaving or forsaking us. He doesn't promise to spare us from hardship, but He promises not to allow any form of evil to strip away our salvation, or our ability to experience His presence in our soul. Sometimes God delivers us from the storm and sometimes He delivers us in the storm.

Many people think they can effectively make it own their own without the guidance of the Lord...but that simply isn't possible. The reality is that life is too big for you to carry the burden on your shoulders. In 1 Peter 5:7, God's Word says to cast all your cares upon God. He can handle the heavy weights that wear you down in life, handle your issues, and love you unconditionally. His Word is full of wisdom and guidance, and it is a rock of truth and comfort to lead us through life's many storms.

The Bible says that if a person goes to God in search of wisdom, He will pour out His wisdom generously (see James 1:5). Go to God for comfort, wisdom, and guidance, expecting Him to reveal both His absolute goodness and your potential for greatness!

God's guidance is also in the "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit within us. His directives may be as simple as a prompting in your mind: "Call this person today." It might be a nudging to make a particular choice, or to go to a specific place at a given time. Success with God always means choosing to do things God's way, not our own way.

The Word of God tells us to "Consider your ways" (Haggai 1:5). Although God may not always answer the "why" questions we ask of Him, He will always help us answer the "why" questions we ask of ourselves - to reveal truths and greater self-knowledge, as He guides us toward our next level of destiny and transforms us into His likeness.

And as we learn to hear God's voice and are obedient to his directions, we can walk in confidence that He is guiding us...and leading us down paths that are truly good for us!