Training our eyes to see God in our day is one key to helping us keep walking regardless of the negative, stressful or painful circumstances we often face. It's in focusing our attention and vision on the goodness of God all around us that reminds us of His love and concern and draws his favour into our lives.
There will always be negatives and trials in life. Jesus even said there would, so we wouldn't be surprised. But He also said that He had overcome these trials for us as we remain vitally connected to Him.
Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Goodness and favour already surround us, and when we start seeking out and looking for the good things in our lives, we will soon realize that there is evidence of God's goodness and kindness towards us everywhere.
Even when it seems that nothing beneficial can come of a situation, God will turn things around surprise us by revealing just how He has been working all the time behind the scenes on our behalf and with our best in mind.
However, it does take practice and a renewed mindset to look for the good rather than focus on the bad. Some people may think that it is just "putting your head in the sand" and not facing facts, but when we know God and His Word, any contrary facts must line up with the truth of His word to change things that previously looked hopeless.
I encourage you to begin to look for the good all around you. Start to retrain yourself to focus and expect to see God's favour and goodness towards you every day.
Some helpful ways I have discovered to look for the good are:
1. Keep your eyes and ears on God's Word to build your faith and expectation for God's favour and blessing to pour into your life.
"So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17)
2. Give God your cares and concerns, and then leave them with Him. It's hard to see the good when you are weighed down with burdens and worries.
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7)
3. Spend time talking to God in prayer and then declaring what He says about your life, rather than focusing and repeating the negatives or what others or the world say about you.
"And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14: 13-14)
4. Honour even the smallest good thing in your life. Don't take God's blessings for granted.
"Give the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendour of [His] holiness." (Psalm 29:2)
"Honour the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce." (Proverbs 10:9)
5. Look for the "silver lining" in situations, and remember that God has promised that all things work together for good for those who love Him. Somewhere, somehow good will come.
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)
Today even if it is only a tiny sliver of joy that you can see, choose to acknowledge and honour God for it. As you do, you'll soon be seeing goodness all around you as you train your eyes, heart and mind to focus on these things and to then expect God's daily favour and blessing to be made evident in your life.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your love and goodness and your help to retrain my eyes, heart, and mind to see all the good that is part of my life. Please help me to become someone who easily sees the good so that it becomes an everyday expectation to daily experience your favour. In Jesus name Amen.