God works good. We know this about Him. But, so often I miss His “good” when it doesn’t look good to me. Last time, I was telling you that sometimes I’m afraid of God’s plans for me…I’m afraid that what He counts as good won’t feel good to me. Sometimes we’d rather feel good than be made good.

God has an eternal perspective. I’m a little too much in the moment. Are you like me? Sometimes I repeat the same cycle for days—I flare up at my husband’s harsh tone and we tumble into an angry pit—then I get discouraged. But the Lord isn’t discouraged by sin, because that’s where He seizes opportunity. Often, the pain in a relationship is strongest when the Lord is pressing hard. He presses us to learn to lean on Him. He presses close to teach us to live with Integrity—to do right, no matter who’s in the wrong. In the end, I want to get off the crazy cycle. I want to grow, so how can I despise the pain that moves me in the right direction?

When I see my children feeling awkward—trying to fit in, going to Sunday school or youth group for the first time—I worry. Yet, God has everything we need in abundance, even fellowship. Whether we lack community, or have it in abundance, God is working the circumstances for our good. Solitude makes us desperate for closer relationship with Him. Sweet Christian fellowship brings us close to Him through His people. We should trust that His goodness is at work in both situations.

My husband has some health struggles and deals with chronic pain all the time. New problems seem to pop up for him regularly. I don’t always know how to respond to his physical pain or the discouragement that sometimes follows. But he would be the first one to tell you that this pain, that has brought him to his knees, has also brought him to the Lord in a real way…so how could we not be thankful for that?

When it feels like life is going downhill fast,
can’t we just be still?
And know?

There is, in me, a seed of discontentment. I’ve learned to expect failure, expect grief, expect bad news. With every silver lining, I’ve spotted the cloud. We’ve had some difficulties. And over the years, the hard times tended to make me bitter, rather than better. I’ve memorized disappointment and forgotten hope. I’ve held onto fear and let go of joy. But these were just choices. In any given situation, in that split second, we choose what we believe is true.

When the Lord says He is for me,
and not against me,
I choose to believe Him.

Now, instead of keeping watch for difficulties, I am on the hunt for good. I am actively looking for the good God is weaving into my life.  I know Him…I know He is there, making me new, working for my good! So the new habit I’m cultivating is #CuratingtheGood — collecting #StonesofRemembrance and #GatheringHope, pointing to the evidence of God’s Hand at work for good.

So every week here, and sometimes on social media, I will spend time #CuratingtheGood and I would love for you to join me! Running late cooking dinner? Instead of grumbling, be thankful that you have food and loved ones to cook for…not everyone does. Dreading your workout? Count it a blessing that your body can move when you tell it to…because many other people would love to slip into in your running shoes! Even cuddling a sick child is a privilege…some mommas’ arms ache for such an opportunity.

If you’re like me, you’ll need to practice seeing the good in every situation. We need to practice gratitude until it becomes our first thought. Because y’all. Above all, we must be a grateful people.

Who’s with me? Can you join me in #CuratingtheGood in those situations you usually despise? I’m  @brittalafont on instagram and also on Facebook at Britta Lafont, Writer.

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