How to Find the Good in All Things

I’ve always wondered how some people are able to stay so positive throughout life, even though times get hard for them. It seems as though when life keeps putting hurdles in front of them, they are able to jump over them soon enough with much grace. This has always been interesting to me. 

As I spoke to the Lord about this, He told me that these people are the ones who focus on positive and find the good through every situation. Sounds simple enough, huh? It can be very easy to find the good in situations that aren’t so troublesome. But how do you find the good in all things, whether simple or hard? Read on to find out how:

Finding the good in every situation is a lifelong skill that is constantly being developed in us (if we allow it). Every day/year of our life we are faced with varying challenges that have their own degree of goodness within them. Sometimes the good is explicit and sometimes it’s not.

I like to go back to this Scripture when thinking of finding the good in all things: 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:8-9

This Scripture sums up how and why it is important to find the good in everything! 

How: Think on things that are true, honorable, pure, lovely, praiseworthy

Why: So that God’s peace will be with you

I’ve come to learn that wherever there is goodness, there is God. Wherever there is negativity, envy and pessimism, there is the enemy. 

In order to stay within the goodness of God, you have to fix your mind upon His goodness. Here are a few examples that might be helpful to you:

Suffering a loss

Your first actions after a loss will likely be to mourn and that is expected. Take time to mourn and grieve the loss of that beloved person to you. 

However, after your time of mourning, begin to shift your focus to that of God’s eternal grace. We have the promise that those who have come to know the Lord on this Earth will be with Him in glory after their passing. This is Good News. Do not mourn as if there is no tomorrow. There is always a tomorrow for the Saints of God. I especially believe this for children who have passed away early as well. 

Another area to find good through suffering a loss, is to focus on your connection with the Lord. There are some facets of the Lord that we only come to know through our experience. If you have never suffered a loss, then you might not understand how warm and inviting His comfort is. You may not know the levels of His joy or peace that passes all understanding until you are in the position that you desperately need it. 

Losing a job

Depending on your financial status, losing your job in today’s economy can be devastating. I know from first hand experience what it feels like to be a little scared as to whether or not your bills will be paid from month to month.

The good news in this is that a lot of the good found within losing a job has to deal with your trust of God. 

Do you trust that He will take care of you? Do you trust that He will provide your every need? (Having your bills paid is a need) Do you trust that He will provide you a better opportunity? 

Believe me. The very same God that gave you that job is the same One who will provide you with another. Oftentimes, the loss of a job births people into destinies that they never would have known unless their jobs were removed out of their way. There is hope!

While you are applying and believing for what is to come, find the good in connecting with the Lord to see what’s next for you. There is so much joy alone in exercising your faith and seeing the ways that God shows up. Also, sometimes losing a job provides us with a temporary time of rest that our bodies often need.

Use your resting season to spend more time with your family, take care of your health, prioritize sleep, and explore new passions and hobbies.