“Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. Psalms 73:1-5 NKJV
No doubt about it! God is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness. I was looking the other way, looking up to the people at the top, envying the wicked who have it made, who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.” Ps. 73:1-5 MSG
Because good is good, not just in action but also in being, whenever we experience situations or circumstances that don’t meet our expectations, our default is to question God, His character, or His intentions. Where are you, God?
Because He is surely the source of goodness, we assume God Himself would be responsible for the lack of goodness present in our lives. When we can’t see goodness in our lives, we think God has left with it. But even when we can’t see it, God’s goodness is present.
When was the last time you took a break from looking around and zeroed in on where you are right now? In body, in spirit, in mind, and in your emotions?
How is your life right now compared to where you thought you’d be at this point?
Does it look different from what you expected?
Are you different? What dreams or hopes for your life have been fulfilled or abandoned? What do you appreciate about where and who you are right now?
Like Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, we can be so busy looking around at everyone else that we miss the good that God is doing in our own lives. It may not be as glamorous or grandiose as what someone else is showcasing on their social sites. However, the good that God is doing for you is still good.
In this season, don’t miss God’s goodness. I know you’re waiting on Him to do something else, something bigger. I know there are things you are hoping for. But don’t overlook what He’s doing right now. It might not be what you want, but He’s active. He’s present. He’s attentive. And He’s working all things out for your good!
Comparison not only steals joy; it diminishes faith. This is one reason why gratitude is such a vital practice in our everyday life.
Desiring more is not a sin. But don’t desire more, simply for the sake of having more or because you are in competition with someone else.
Gratitude and thanksgiving keep us present in the moment as we anticipate the future, not only our future, but the future of those who reject God:
“When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” Psalms 73:16-17 NKJV
Or as another translation says it:
“Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache… Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture…” v16-17 MSG
When you place your own parameters and measurements of goodness onto God and what He does for you or in your life, goodness becomes complicated. It becomes something you search for rather than lean into. It becomes a phenomenon you analyze rather than a blessing you appreciate.
If you’re looking for goodness in your life, look at God. Look at where He is moving in your life. Look at where you are now in comparison to where you once were. Pay attention to how your mindset has shifted and how your prayers have changed. Get close to Him, and pray for His perspective on where you are.