Look For The Good

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

One evening, we were eating dinner on our patio when we heard a commotion. Suddenly a young man on a bike raced across the street, making his way down our alley, a police car with blaring sirens close behind.

Before we had time to absorb what was happening, several more police cars pulled up on our street as neighbors made their way out of their houses to see the commotion.

The young man on the bike was now lying in the middle of our street, being arrested for a fight and stolen property a few blocks away, as we found out later. Our neighbors gathered, talking with one another and the police as we watched the young man walk with an officer to a police car. Soon, everyone slowly began to leave the scene.

As I turned toward our house, I looked at my kids, who were wide-eyed and scared. My husband and I hugged them as we walked back to our abandoned dinner.

“That was scary, wasn’t it?” I affirmed before any of them spoke. They nodded.

“Yes,” I responded. “But did you notice all of our neighbors who came outside? If you ever had an emergency, any one of them would be there to help you. Ernie. Claire. Doug and Heather. They’d all come to assist you. Look for the good, kids; it’s always there.” Their expressions showed the shift in their thoughts as they pondered what I’d said.

It is so easy to focus on the negative things in life, but Scripture encourages us to look for what is true, noble, right, pure, and lovely. And when we do, we will find it. Does this mean we don’t face the more complicated things in life? Not at all. It simply means that we see things for what they are while also looking for the good that is available to us. Don’t get overwhelmed by the harder things; there is always good to be found too.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

In what ways can you focus on what is true, right, or lovely, even if you are currently facing something hard?