Learning to Focus on God’s Goodness in My Darkest Days

In reviewing Jonah 2:7 I read,  “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord.” (TLB)

When I’m feeling hopeless, choose to think about the one thing I know will lift my spirit: the goodness of God.

How did Jonah do it? “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord” (Jonah 2:7 TLB).

The answer to hopelessness is to turn my thoughts to God. Think about his goodness, his greatness, his love, his fairness, and his kindness.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for this is metanoia or repentance. Repentance doesn’t just mean I stop doing bad stuff. It means I change my mind and look at life from God’s viewpoint instead of my own.

Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of the Nazi death camps, once said, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”

Everything depends on where I’m looking.

As I focus my attention on God’s goodness, look to his Word. One verse that can be used during some of the darkest times of life is Psalm 27:13, which says, “I know that I will live to see the Lord’s goodness in this present life” (GNT).

It’s a great reminder that God’s purpose in my life is greater than whatever problem I’m facing.

Even though it may be difficult, instead of focusing on my worries, choose to look up and turn my “thoughts once more to the Lord.”

In summary, when I lose all hope, I need to turn my thought to the Lord. When I’m feeling hopeless, choose to think about the one thing I know will lift my spirit: the goodness of God. So, the answer to hopelessness is to turn my thoughts to God. Think about his goodness, his greatness, his love, his fairness, and his kindness. Repentance on my part doesn’t just mean I stop doing bad stuff. It means I change my mind and look at life from God’s viewpoint. Everything depends on where I’m looking. Look to his Word. During my darkest times, remember Psalm 27:13, “I know that I will live to see the Lord’s goodness in this present life” God’s purpose in my life is greater than whatever problem I’m facing. Instead of focusing on my worries, choose to look up and turn my “thoughts once more to the Lord.”

Father, I must remember to turn my thoughts to you. Remember your goodness to me. Learn to look at things from your viewpoint. Know that your purpose for me is greater than anything I will face. So instead of worrying, choose to look up to you.  I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.