I know someone who needs regular doses of “cheerful heart medicine.”

She has been faithful to the church, her family, and her friends her entire life. She loves the Lord and I have no doubt she considers herself a woman of faith. But her negativity often causes me some concern.

“Their family has been so faithful. It’s just not fair for them to have to go through so much.” Or, “I don’t care what anyone says, there is no reason a child should have to have cancer, or a soldier should survive a deployment, only to come home and die in some random drive-by shooting.”

I encourage her by saying things like, “Remember, God is a big-picture guy. He knows things we don’t.” And, “If you believe the Bible is the truth, shouldn’t that be enough to let you know God’s got everything under control — that in the end, it will all be just as it should be?”

“Yes,” she says, “but…”

That three-letter word — but — has far too much power.

Beware the “but.” Used often enough, it can leach away our faith in God’s goodness. Remember: He knows what He’s doing. We can trust Him to work all things for our good. He truly does have the whole world in His hands.