Focused on Good - Move Beyond and Thrive
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In this blog post, we’re focusing on a Kingdom principle that shapes how we think and thrive: thinking on what is good. This isn’t just about staying positive—it’s about choosing to align our thoughts with God's truth. Kingdom Citizens don’t settle for surface-level motivation. We root ourselves in the character of our Father, who isn’t just good—He is great. He is “The Great I Am.” (Exodus 3:14, GNB)
Who Is Good?
Our Father is the very definition of goodness. As David proclaimed,
“You are good, and you do only good; teach me your laws.”
(Psalm 119:68, GNB)
And again,
“Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal!”
(Psalm 107:1, GNB)
His goodness is paired with mercy. They are intertwined and ever-present in our lives:
“Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
(Psalm 23:6, GNB)
So Why Don’t We Always See the Good?
Sometimes life exposes our mistakes. It can feel humiliating when our faults are made public. Often, this happens because we’re more tuned in to people’s opinions than the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us.
Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit as our teacher and guide:
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything.”
(John 14:26, GNB)
When we listen to the world, we look at what’s visible. But God calls us to look at what is eternal.
“For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.”
(2 Corinthians 4:18, GNB)
We’ve all made mistakes. But when we confess and repent, God responds—not with punishment, but with forgiveness and cleansing:
“But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.”
(1 John 1:9, GNB)
God doesn’t keep score. In fact, He says:
“I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs.”
(Hebrews 8:12, GNB)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.”
(Psalm 103:12, GNB)
Testimonial: Encouragement in Exposure
I once encountered someone who was publicly called out for a mistake. You could see the shame on their face—their body language was heavy. My response was simple, gentle, and true:
"It’s happened to all of us. I’ve made mistakes too. What matters is what you do now. Please God. Repent. Confess. Ask God for forgiveness. Then move forward. Peace is still yours." The steps were taken, and soon after, received excellent feedback in another area of their work along with praise—not just for performance, but for working with other team members very well. When we focus on the good, God restores.
✅ Checklist for Moving Forward When Exposed
Use this as your Kingdom Thriving guide. These steps, grounded in Scripture (GNB), will help you overcome public mistakes and walk forward in peace.
1. Confess your sin to a trusted Kingdom Citizen
“So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed.”
(James 5:16, GNB)
📝 Find a mature, trustworthy believer. Confess the issue, not to gain pity but to release shame and invite healing.
2. Reflect on the lesson learned
“My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.”
(James 1:2-3, GNB)
📝 Take time to write out what happened, why it happened, and what God is showing you through it. This reflection will shape your growth.
3. Identify the good in the situation
“We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28, GNB)
📝 Ask God: “Where is your good in this?” It could be in humility, strength, or in helping someone else.
4. Stay focused on the good because it is always present
“Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life.”
(Psalm 23:6, GNB)
📝 Keep a journal of small wins. Revisit Scripture daily to train your thoughts to see good even in hard moments.
5. Remain calm when the issue is mentioned again
“A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.”
(Proverbs 15:1, GNB)
“The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still.”
(Exodus 14:14, GNB)
📝 When others bring it up, respond calmly or say nothing at all. Let your new behavior speak for you. Peace is strength.
Final Thoughts
When your focus is on the goodness of God, you rise with grace and power. You walk with confidence, not shame. You don’t just cross the finish line—you thrive in the journey. Victory is already yours, because your identity is rooted in the One who never loses.
💬 Want to share your story? Leave a comment below. Has a mistake ever been exposed publicly? How did you move forward? What Scriptures did you hold on to for peace? Your story might be the encouragement someone needs today.
🌟 Need more encouragement?
Visit us at www.onewordencourage.com to send encouragement, download a devotional, or gift someone with peace-filled inspiration today.