When the 'Good' Thing Turns Out to Be a Scorpion: Trusting God's Divine Hand

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you were navigating through a minefield? You make a choice, you trust your judgment, you think you’re steering toward the clearest, most beautiful path—the path that looks undeniably 'good' right now. But then, something unexpected happens. It stings. It bites. It feels like a scorpion sting right in the heart of what you thought was God's best provision.

It’s a feeling every disciple knows. We are so eager to build Zion, to gather Israel, to feel the momentum of the work, that we sometimes mistake temporary comfort or immediate success for divine guidance. We look at the 'good days'—the days when the missionary discussions go smoothly, when the study group is vibrant, when the temple recommend seems within reach—and we assume that’s the final destination.

But the message we need to carry with us, especially as we become more seasoned in the field, is that God’s definition of 'good' is almost always beyond our immediate grasp. Jonathan Cahn recently spoke powerfully on this, using the imagery of scorpions and alligators, and it hit home for me. It forced me to really dig into what it means to be a child who trusts the Father, even when the Father says, 'No, you cannot have that.'

When we hear that teaching—that a good father will say no to the scorpion—it’s a profound check on our own desires. We tend to operate under the assumption that if we ask earnestly, if we study diligently, if we serve faithfully, we are guaranteed the exact outcome we pictured. But the Spirit whispers something deeper: God knows better. He knows what we *think* is good, versus what is *spiritually* good.

The Difference Between 'Good' and Spiritually Good

We have to get comfortable with the ambiguity. We can’t let our expectations become the measure of God's perfect plan for us, for our families, or for the Church. Sometimes the path to becoming more Christlike isn't paved with accolades or immediate blessings; sometimes it's paved with resistance, with things that feel dangerous or painful in the moment. Those moments are often the very things that refine us and prepare us for the next level of service.

This isn't a license to be passive, mind you. It’s a call to *deep* discipleship. It means we must keep showing up, keep studying, and keep asking, but we must also be ready to accept the 'No' with grace, trusting that the 'No' is actually guarding us from something worse.

This week, as you are preparing for your own missionary discussions, or perhaps wrestling with a challenging scripture passage in your Bible Study Group, I want you to pause. Ask yourself: Am I asking for what I *want*, or am I asking according to the Spirit’s will? Am I looking for the immediate comfort, or am I seeking the eternal truth that will sustain me when the inevitable 'scorpions' appear?

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let's commit to being disciples who trust the process, the divine Father's process, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Your Disciple Challenge This Week

For those of us who are feeling the call to deepen our knowledge, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings on covenant keeping. If you haven't already, dive into the Iron Rod library in LivingBook and look specifically at any essays related to covenant keeping or divine timing. It’s a wonderful place to wrestle with these deep concepts.

If you're looking for fellowship to discuss this, join a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Let's lift each other up as we learn to trust the Master Planner!

Keep the faith, disciples. The Lord is good, and His best is always perfect.