God Over Good: Saving Your Faith By Losing Your Expectations of God 

By Luke Norsworthy

“Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Whether or not you have faith or believe in God (or a higher power), this is a question everyone has pondered at least one time in life.

If you think about it, it’s kind of a crazy question to ask because, is any one person truly “good”?

The answer, in case you’re wondering, is N O. No one is capable of being completely good in this world.

Still, bad things happen, things that God could prevent if He wanted to. God is Creator of all and in control of each and every moment we individually experience in this life. If this is true, and as followers of Christ we believe it to be, then why doesn’t God intervene in tragedies? Why does He choose to act sometimes and in other times it’s like He turns a blind eye at our pain and suffering?

The answer to this question also comes in one word – E X P E C T A T I O N S.

Establishing expectations for God is the concept behind my latest read, God Over Good: Saving Your Faith By Losing Your Expectations of God by Luke Norsworthy and friends, this book is so good!

“Like Jesus said, if we want to save our life, we must lose it. Salvation or control – if we want one, then we can’t have the other. We can keep gripping the steering wheel of how we think life, God and the universe should function, or we can have salvation. We can’t have both. It’s a choice: expectations or faith.”

Luke Norsworthy, excerpt taken from page 68 of God Over Good

I had never heard of Luke Norsworthy prior to reading this book but I began to like him, his writing style, dry humor, and raw authenticity after reading the first page of the book’s introduction. Norsworthy, a Texas pastor, is a self-proclaimed cynic who has battled with doubt, questioning God’s motive, and the seemingly endless expectations we all place on the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Maker of the universe.

God Over Good is so relatable, it gives the reader permission to let go and release a big sigh of relief; God is in control and we may never know the answers to life’s many questions this side of eternity. The thoughts, stories, questions and concepts addressed make life appear like an incomplete story or an unfinished puzzle – God beholds the masterpiece and we will both understand and witness the beautiful piece of work once our time on earth is completed. 

If you’ve ever wondered how God can be your good, good Father when your own child (or other family member) has been ripped away from this earth unexpectedly, this book is for you.             

If you don’t understand how God’s marvelous natural creations can wreck havoc on humanity, this book is for you.

If you’ve ever doubted God’s plan in the midst of pain, suffering or tragedy, this book is for you.

If you’ve ever chosen denial as a coping mechanism for things you cannot explain, this book is for you.

If you are a human and therefore are a broken, imperfect individual with real problems and a messy life (i.e. every single person ever created), this book is for you.

After finishing God Over GoodI felt encouraged that I am not alone in my fear, doubt, or questioning. We may not know the answer or purpose behind every little thing that occurs in this life and we may not even be okay with that, but we do need to be okay in accepting the One who knows the depths of our hearts and still loves us the same. 

Seriously, friends – add this book to your 2019 reading list!

“Maybe salvation isn’t about trying to get back behind the wall of certainty and confidence. Maybe salvation isn’t trying to force God to match my expectations for what God should be. Maybe salvation isn’t about running from my doubts as though they are the enemy of my relationship with God but instead embracing them as the very place where I meet God. Maybe salvation looks more like letting go than holding on.” 

Luke Norsworthy, excerpt taken from page 25 of God Over Good