Fruitful Living
What does it mean that God is good?
5 examples in everyday life
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! – Psalm 34:8,NKJV
INTRODUCTION
We often hear the phrase, “God is good.” It is used in songs, sermons, and is sometimes used as a response when both good and bad things happen in our lives, for example: a person who avoids tragedy due to car trouble or a delayed flight. Other examples are good things that happen to people, like circumstances aligning perfectly for them to buy a house or replace their old car when previously things looked very bleak. In all these things, we often say, “God is good.” Still, what does this mean? According to Merriam Webster, (dictionary) the definition of “God” is “the being in perfect power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe,” however; isn’t He more than this? God is good in so many ways–the way He provides for us, guides us, and watches over us–but it goes even deeper than that. God’s goodness is who He is, and we are created in His image, so, therefore, we share His goodness. God’s goodness shows up in our lives every single day. Although we often think of His goodness when something big happens, His goodness abounds all the time–in every hour, minute, and second of the day, in the smallest of things around us. Here are five examples of His goodness in our everyday lives. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good-” Luke 18:19
- Waking Us Up Every day that God wakes us up is an example of His goodness. This means we are still working towards the purpose and gifts He has given us. It shows us that He isn’t finished with us yet and that we still have a mission to fulfill. We shall not grumble and complain about
getting out of bed and going to work. We should be happy that we are still breathing and living for Him. Many are worse off than us who need to see our light shining in the world every day. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” – Psalm 143:8 - Pouring His Favour on Us On the days when we are surrounded by the smallest and most significant of blessings, we know that God is pouring His favour on us. This can be anything from your coworker bringing you your favourite coffee to your boss calling you in their office to discuss a raise or promotion. We need to pay attention to all the little things in our day, both big and small, that are a blessing to us. A lot of times, it’s the little things that mean so much. “God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christwhich is to fulfill His own good plan-” Ephesians 1:9
- Protecting Us We have all heard about the woman who had car trouble and missed being in a massive pile-up on the interstate. We have heard about the disease/cancer detection that almost did not happen due to a practically-missed appointment. These are the significant ways He protects us, but He works in the smaller things too: for example, the gossip that is going around that never reaches your ears or the coworker that is trying to sabotage you but your boss, instead, sees the honest and hard work that you do. These are all ways He protects us on a daily basis.
- Speaking To Us through Prayer Prayer is our most
powerful connection to God. It is how we express our thanks and gratitude, make our petitions known, and intercede for others. Sometimes we get an answer of “yes,” sometimes, “no” and sometimes, “wait.” Sometimes, He gives us specific instructions and, sometimes, He is silent. Other times, He speaks to us and provides us with an answer in the most surprising of ways. No matter what, He always answers, and we need to look for those answers every day. In issues big and small, He will often nudge our hearts and draw our attention in the right direction. - Guiding Us We make a thousand little decisions a day, everything from deciding whether we will do our job well or whether or not to take on a client. Sometimes, we have to determine whether an opportunity is right for us and if we should follow a particular path. In these moments, God is guiding us. We need to stop, take a breath and pay attention. How do we feel in our hearts?
How do we feel in our gut? We need to be still and listen to that small voice we know so well. Listen to Him whispering to our hearts about what choices are right for us. Pay attention to the signs He sends us. This is His way of guiding us and nudging us to our best selves, so that we may live in the gifts we have been given and the purpose He has for us. Are you concerned that you will get too busy and miss the signs of God’s goodness in your life? Let’s pray. Dear Lord, We thank You for allowing us to wake up every morning. Please help us to slow down in the midst of our busy lives. Allow us to see Your goodness in every day, no matter how big or small. Help us to acknowledge Your blessings immediately when they are poured out upon us. Thank You for Your protection and guidance. Help us to listen carefully and discern Your voice whispering to our hearts in answer to our prayers. Rejoice in our happiness when You say yes, help us see the reasons You say, “no,” and give us the patience and wisdom we need for when You say, “wait.” Help us to walk in alignment to Your goodness and shine it into the world for all who need it. Allow us to see the abundance of Your goodness in our lives, and others lives every day. In Jesus name we pray with thanksgiving. Amen.
STAY BLESSED!! For further inquires please contact us on Tel Nos. 0268130615 or 0243588467 Email: saltnlightministries@ gmail.com Website: saltandlightgh.org.
By Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
In Islam, marriage is a sacred bond based on mutual love, compassion, and responsibility. The Qur’an describes spouses as “garments for one another” (Qur’an 2:187), symbolising protection, comfort, and dignity. Within this partnership, the role of the Muslim woman is vital for nurturing both the husband and the wider family.
Her responsibilities to her husband include fostering mutual respect, supporting him emotionally, safeguarding the home, and preserving his honor in his absence, as enjoined in Qur’an 4:34. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasised kindness and mutual care, reminding husbands and wives that “the best among you are those who are best to their wives” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3895).
To her children, a Muslim woman is the first teacher and nurturer, instilling faith, morality, and discipline. Her role extends beyond physical care to building strong spiritual foundations for future generations.
For the family as a whole, she cultivates an environment of mercy, patience, and cooperation, ensuring the home remains a sanctuary of Islamic values. Thus, in marriage, the Muslim woman’s role is not one of subservience, but of partnership and leadership in nurturing a righteous family, the cornerstone of a strong society.
Influential women in early Islam
Numerous women in Islamic history shaped the faith’s intellectual, social, and political foundations:
- Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA): A successful merchant and the Prophet’s first wife, she financed the early Muslim community and offered emotional support during the Prophet’s first revelations (Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book 58).
- Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA): Among the most influential scholars of Islam, narrating over 2,000 Hadiths, and teaching companions jurisprudence, theology, and ethics (Abbott, 1985).
- Nusaybah bint Kaʿb (RA): A courageous warrior, she protected the Prophet during the Battle of Uhud (Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir).
- Rufayda al-Aslamiyya (RA): Regarded as the first Muslim nurse, she pioneered organized medical care during battles (Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings).
These examples challenge the stereotype of passive Muslim women; instead, they reveal active participants in religious, economic, intellectual, and political life.
Contemporary challenges and misunderstandings
Although Islam introduced revolutionary rights for women, in many societies cultural traditions and patriarchal practices have overshadowed its principles. This has led to widespread misunderstandings of women’s roles.
Hijab and public life: The Qur’an commands modesty in dress and behaviour (Qur’an 24:31), but modesty is not intended as a barrier to education, professional careers, or community engagement. Many scholars emphasise that hijab symbolises dignity, identity, and moral consciousness rather than exclusion from public life (Cooke, 2004).
Women as homemakers only: While the role of a homemaker is deeply respected, Islam does not confine women to domestic spaces. Khadijah (RA), the Prophet’s first wife, was a prominent entrepreneur, and historical records show women in Medina engaging in trade and agriculture without restriction (Haddad & Esposito, 1998).
Economic dependency: Economic hardship makes exclusive dependency unrealistic. Islam permits women to work and support families, especially in cases of widowhood or financial strain (Qur’an 4:32).
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU2
Throughout His ministry, Jesus modeled perfect discernment. He confronted false teaching with truth (Matthew 22:29), He discerned the motives of those around Him (Luke 5:22), and He resisted the devil’s temptations by anchoring Himself in Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11).
When faced with flattery or traps from the Pharisees, Jesus was never deceived. He saw beyond words to the intentions of the heart. His example shows us that discernment is not merely intellectual but spiritual — it is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As His followers, we are called to walk in the same wisdom. Philippians 1:9–10 captures this prayer beautifully: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (NIV)
How to live with discernment
So how do we practice discernment in our daily lives? Scripture provides practical steps:
- Renew your mind in God’s word
Just as Jesus countered temptation with Scripture, we too must fill our hearts with God’s truth. Daily reading and meditation anchor us in what is eternal.
- Guard what enters your heart
Proverbs 4:23 warns: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) Be intentional about what you read, watch, and listen to.
- Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance
Discernment is not only mental; it is spiritual. Romans 8:14 reminds us: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Ask the Spirit to reveal truth and expose deception.
- Evaluate the fruit
Jesus taught us to recognise people and ideas by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). Ask: Will this produce holiness, peace, and love in my life, or will it lead to sin, compromise, and confusion?
- Walk in community
God often uses other believers to sharpen us. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Surround yourself with people who love truth and can lovingly challenge you when needed.
Illustrations of discernment
Think of Daniel in Babylon. Surrounded by a culture hostile to his faith, he discerned what to reject and what to accept. He refused the king’s food that violated God’s law (Daniel 1:8), yet he willingly studied Babylonian wisdom, using it to serve with excellence while remaining faithful to God. That balance is discernment in action.
Or consider the Bereans in Acts 17:11. They were commended because they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Their discernment was not suspicion but a sincere desire to confirm truth through God’s Word.
Conclusion
To live like Jesus is to live with discernment. It is to resist the temptation of simply going along with the crowd and instead anchor every decision, thought, and influence in the truth of God’s Word.
Discernment protects us from deception, equips us to live faithfully, and enables us to shine as lights in a dark world. As Paul wrote: “Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 (ESV)
Let us, therefore, make it our prayer to be discerning people — wise, Spirit-led, and anchored in Scripture. In doing so, we will live not just as believers in name, but as true followers of Jesus, reflecting His life in a world desperately in need of His light.
- Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee,
the author
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU2
