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Psalm 103:2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." 

It's been said that what you focus on expands. What a fascinating observation! In this passage, we see King David, with all his shortcomings and challenges, still pointing his thoughts toward the goodness of God. One phrase that makes this Psalm so special is the simple phrase, "forget not." As we move through the different seasons of life, experiencing the mountains and valleys, betrayals, promotions, heartaches, and celebrations, we can sometimes find that when things are going well, our communication with the Father and our sense of gratitude are lacking. This is why King David encourages us to "forget not all of His benefits." When we remember to focus on God's faithfulness in our past, we build up our hearts and minds, and we find the strength to face any challenges that lie in the future. 

Psalm 103:10 says, "He does not deal with us according to our sins." The author turns his focus to the forgiveness of sin, reminding us in verses 11 and 12, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the East is from the West, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." In the midst of our mistakes and imperfections, we are not disqualified from fulfilling all that God has for us. "As far as the East is from the West”! Think about it: The two never meet… What an incredible picture of grace! We all make mistakes and would often like to go back and retract certain statements or actions that we're not particularly proud of. That is to be expected and is, for the most part, unavoidable. However, what is avoidable is the decision to let those shortcomings take root in our hearts and minds to the point that we disqualify ourselves by continuously shaming ourselves for past failures. Many of us have no trouble accepting God's forgiveness, but sometimes forgiving ourselves can prove to be the real challenge.

In these moments, when shame and guilt creep in, we must learn to adjust our perspective. The East is forever separated from the West. The two never meet. God sees you as forgiven, filled with potential and promise. But, how do you see yourself? 

It’s easier said than done, but we must learn to focus on what God focuses on. The future He has prepared for each of us is brighter than we could ever imagine. Let's take hold of that picture and run the race we're called to run. For the sake of our spouses, children, and friends, we must learn to see ourselves the way He does. We are uniquely equipped to make the world a better place. Letting go of shame and holding on to grace. 

Remember, what you focus on expands. Something powerful happens when we decide to point our thoughts at the goodness of God.