It’s Actually Not All Good
There’s a certain pop phrase that has become something of a cultural mantra. It’s what we say—almost reflexively—when life gets hard. The phrase? “It’s all good.” I’m confident you’re familiar with it. You may have even said it, perhaps more than once. While I appreciate the sentiment behind those words—a desire to stay positive despite challenges—obviously everything in life is not “all good.” And declaring good over what is not isn’t healthy, helpful, or biblical.
Why Do We Even Say This?
While there are reasons we say “It’s all good,” none of them are valid or beneficial. Sometimes we say this to appear strong or spiritually mature. Other times we say this to camouflage our emotions. And sometimes, if we’re honest, we say this simply because we don’t know what else to say, and we’re afraid to say how we’re truly feeling.
Saying “It’s all good” might feel easier in the moment than admitting we’re hurt, confused, disappointed, or overwhelmed. But the truth is often the best thing we can do for ourselves and for others is to be honest in naming what is not good.
In fact, God Himself speaks to what is and what is not good. And the Scriptures call us to do the same: to speak the truth from our hearts (Psalm 15:1-2), to shed light on what is dark (Ephesians 5:11), and to acknowledge what’s broken instead of pretending it’s not (Romans 8:22-23). This is one of the many things I love about the Bible as it speaks to real people with real problems who are invited to talk to a really good God about everything, including the things in our lives that are good and the ones that are not.
What About Romans 8:28?
While Romans 8:28 does tell us that “God works all things together for good,” it never suggests that everything is good. Instead, it reveals something profound about God as He is able to bring good out of what is not good. This is a powerful truth, but believing it doesn’t require us to minimize difficulties or rewrite reality. It invites us into something far more hopeful; God can and does bring good from what is actually not good. And this means that in everything—the good, the not‑so‑good, and even the deeply painful—God is actively at work on our behalf.
The truth is there is nothing admirable about denying what is not good. Responding to hurt or hardship with “It’s all good” isn’t a sign of strong faith or godly character. Not to mention, Scripture calls us to acknowledge what is not good, to flourish in spite of it, and to trust God to use it and even transform it for good. Additionally as believers, being honest about what is not good makes us real and approachable. It magnifies the reality that God is consistently trustworthy, and good even though everything we face is not. And it also serves as a tangible witness that He is faithfully present with us at all times.
So today, let’s be grateful for all that is good in our lives—daily provision, new morning mercies, friends, family, and greatest of all: God’s presence with us now and always. And let’s also be honest in acknowledging what is not good, fully confident that God, who is good, and does good will bring good from all that is actually not.
Pray
Father God, thank You for all that is truly good in my life and in the world around me. Help me also to be honest in naming, lamenting, and grieving what is not good. I am grateful for Your consistent faithfulness, unchanging character, and steadfast love in every season. Give me courage to trust that You are at work in every part of my story—aligning it with Your will and using it for my good and Your purpose. Amen.
Reflect
What is one area of your life that is not good right now—something you need to name, lament, or grieve before God?
My friends, your thoughts matter! I’d love to hear from you. Consider sharing your responses in the comment section below!