فصل 23

CHAPTER 23

Remember the Good

The Psalmist said, “I recall the many miracles God has done for me. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them.” Notice, he said thoughts of God’s goodness were constantly in his mind. That’s a great way to live!

Too often, though, we remember what we should forget—our disappointments, hurts, and failures—and we forget what we should remember—our victories, successes, and the good times.

In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to celebrate certain feasts so they would not forget what He had done for them, and so they could pass on those inspiring stories to the next generation. Several times a year, the Israelites stopped whatever they were doing and everybody celebrated how God brought them out of slavery, or how God defeated this enemy, or how He protected them against that calamity. These celebrations were not optional; they were commanded, and the people were required to attend and remember God’s goodness to them.

In other places, the Bible records how God’s people put down “memorial stones.” These large markers were to remind the people of specific victories God had given them. Every time they or future generations passed by a memorial, they would remember the mighty things God had done.

We need to do something similar. Take time to remember your victories, and celebrate what God has done in your life. Put out some memorial stones.

This is one of the best ways to build your faith and keep yourself encouraged. Remember the time that God made a way for you when it looked as if there was no way. Remember when you were so lonely, and God brought somebody special into your life. Recall how God has healed you or someone you know; think of how He protected you in the storm, guided you, blessed you. If you will get this awareness of God’s goodness down on the inside, you won’t go around thinking, Well, I wonder if I’ll ever get out of this mess? I wonder if God’s ever going to work in my life.

No, you’ll be saying, “I know if God did it for me once, He’ll do it for me again!”

I do this often and on purpose. I think about the time I walked into a jewelry store in Houston, Texas, as a young man in my early twenties. I was minding my own business, hoping to purchase a watch battery, and out walked the most beautiful woman that I’d ever seen. The moment I saw Victoria, I thought to myself, God, you just answered my prayers! We dated for a year and a half and we got married! But I don’t take that for granted. That wasn’t a coincidence or a lucky break. That was God directing my steps and causing me to be at the right place at the right time. When I remember that, it reminds me that God is in control of my life. It gives me confidence to know that if God was directing my steps back then, God can direct my steps today.

When we learn to recall the good things God has done, it helps us to stay in an attitude of faith and to remain grateful. It’s hard to go around complaining when you are constantly thinking about how good God has been to you. It’s hard to get negative and to veer off into unbelief when you are always talking about God’s blessings and favor in your life.

God has done something good for every one of us. We merely need to go back and remember where we came from. Maybe you used to think or speak negatively. You were depressed and defeated. Today, though, you are rising higher; you know you are a victor and not a victim. Perhaps at one point you suffered with all kinds of addictions and bad habits. But God supernaturally delivered you, and today you are healthy and whole. Thank God for what He has done. Remember how He set you free. Remembering where you came from is one of the best ways to keep yourself encouraged.

Sometimes we take these things for granted. Some people don’t even realize that it was God at work in their life.

I encourage you to keep a notebook, something like a diary or a journal. When something happens in your life that you know is God, write it down. You know God opened up a door. Add that to your list. You know God spared your life or you know God spoke to you a specific word of direction; make a note of that. Keep a running record of the good things that God has done for you.

It need not always be something big but you know it is God guiding your life. You may unexpectedly meet somebody. They introduce you to another person, and that leads to you getting a new client. Write that down. Maybe you are driving down the highway, and you see a new billboard that sparks an idea that you take to the office. The bosses like it and your idea leads to a promotion. Recognize that is God at work in your life. Write that down.

Then on a regular basis, get that notebook out and read about all the great things God has done in your life. You will be encouraged! When you recall how God opened up this door for you, protected you over here, restored you there, healed you there, your faith will increase. Especially in times of difficulty, when you are tempted to get discouraged, get that notebook out and read it again. If you do that, you will not go through the day discouraged and defeated. You will know that God is in control of your life. He is holding you in the palm of His hand, and He will take care of you.