“Jesus loves me this I know.” This phrase is often the first truth people hear about God. God is love. It was the first thing I learned about God. But many have lost sight of this truth.

Not understanding the plan that God has for us has led many to question God’s love. If he loves us, why did this terrible thing happen? If he loves us, why don’t I have more good things in my life? I have to admit that there have been times that I have thought that way. I have wondered about God’s love. I have questioned him. Unpleasant must be unloving, right?

Not necessarily! God reminded me of an event from my youth. It is a simple story that helped me understand that I can trust God even when times get tough. I can trust Him even if I can’t see the future.

When I was about 10 years old, I remember having to spend Saturday morning cleaning my room. I finally had a day off from school, and I had to spend it cleaning instead of playing. My sister, who I shared the room with, was no happier than I was about the wasted morning. We discussed the cleaning situation. The conclusion we came to was that Mom didn’t love us. In our immature minds, we equated unpleasant with unloving.

Now as an adult, I am so thankful that my mom taught me discipline. She taught me to work hard. She gave me the life skills I needed to keep my own home. She also taught me that there is plenty of time to play if you keep your life in order. These lessons have benefitted me for decades. That Saturday when I questioned my mom’s love, I was wrong. In reality, she was loving me well!

I go through unpleasant things on a regular basis. I realize I learn from those difficulties. I understand that God loves me like my mom. He knows what the future holds, and he is preparing me for bigger tasks. My vision is short-sighted. I do not know what the future holds so I have to trust that the unpleasant tasks of today will yield strength and skill for future responsibilities. Eventually, maybe even decades later, I will look back and realize that I was being loved well.

Job went through many unpleasant, even horrific things, and still he knew that God loved him. “You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.” (Job 10:12, ESV) With all of this in mind today, I pray with the Psalmist, “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:20–22, ESV)