God of Good things
Growing up in Jamaica, sometimes if someone was in a very good mood, someone was likely to comment; “fowl (chicken) a merry hawk deh near.” This means that in times of great excitement and laughter that trouble maybe lurking. While this maybe true if people decide to go to excessive and reckless means to seek pleasure, I could not understand why someone being very happy had to generate such a negative response. Does not Solomon say that, “a merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bone.” (Proverbs 17:22)
How many of these old time sayings and ways of thinking cause us to think that it may not be possible to truly have joy and peace? I know that in this life we will have trouble but I also know that Solomon speaks of times and seasons. So if I experience times of need and sadness then this must give way to joy, happiness and abundance. Certainly trials and tests cannot be our continual portion.
Jesus once said to his disciples, Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:24) It was the same Jesus who caused Simon to catch such an abundance of fish that it caused his net to break. (Luke 5)
God is not a dreary old grump waiting for us to mess up so that he can stretch out his rod and zap us. Nor is he like a punitive parent who does not want us to have fun and who wants us to work all of our lives and never enjoy good things. In fact God will not withhold any good thing from them who walk in righteousness. (Psalm 84:11)
God owns every house on earth, all the money in the banks, all the cars that exist, all the gold and silver in the world. Everything we need is in Christ Jesus to be found. God wants us to have joy and peace and to have all our needs met. Continue to trust him and rest in the assurance that he has already provided everything that we need.
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
November 4, 2020
