Have you ever found yourself struggling to see the goodness of God in the midst of life’s challenges?
Even the strongest of believers can sometimes find it difficult to keep track of all the ways God is working in our lives.
Like David in Psalm 27:13-14, we must choose to believe in God’s goodness, even when things seem tough. David, a man after God’s own heart, admitted that without believing he would see God’s goodness, he would have lost heart. But he made a conscious decision to wait on the Lord and trust in His faithfulness.
One simple yet powerful way to help you stay grounded in the truth of God's goodness is by creating a Goodness Jar.
This jar will serve as a tangible reminder of every time you experience His blessings, whether big or small. Over time, it will become a visible fortress of faith, filled with testimonies of God's work in your life. Let’s walk through how you can create and use this spiritual tool.
What is a Goodness Jar?
A Goodness Jar is a container where you collect written notes, recounting specific instances of God’s goodness in your life. These notes serve as reminders of His faithfulness, especially during difficult seasons when it’s easy to forget how far God has brought you. By continually adding to your jar, you can track the evidence of God’s hand in your life and create a habit of giving thanks.
How to Create Your Goodness Jar?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building and using your Goodness Jar. Whether you’re starting this journey on your own or with your family, this practice will help you actively see and reflect on God’s goodness.
1. Find Your Jar
The first step is to find or buy a jar or container that you’ll use to hold your notes. It can be anything from a simple mason jar to a decorative box. Choose something that fits your personal style, but most importantly, something you’ll enjoy seeing often.
Tip: Choose a container that you can leave in a visible place, so it serves as a constant reminder to add to it regularly.
2. Personalize and Decorate (Optional)
Once you have your jar, consider decorating it to make it more personal. You could add Bible verses, words of encouragement, or stickers that remind you of God’s promises.
For example, you could write Psalm 27:13, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living," on the jar as an anchor for your faith.
Tip: Use your creativity! Add ribbons, inspirational quotes, or even drawings that remind you of the blessings you’ve received.
3. Prepare Small Pieces of Paper
Next, gather small pieces of paper or note cards that you’ll use to record your experiences of God’s goodness. Keep a stack of these near the jar along with a pen, so you’re always ready to jot down a blessing when it happens. These don’t need to be fancy—simple paper will work perfectly.
Tip: You can also use different colored paper to represent various themes like answered prayers, protection, provision, or moments of joy.
4. Reflect Daily or Weekly
Make it a habit to reflect on God’s goodness either at the end of each day or week. Think about the moments that brought you joy, peace, or breakthrough. Write each instance on a small note and place it in your Goodness Jar. It can be anything from a small moment of answered prayer to an unexpected blessing.
For example:
- "Today, God protected my family on a long drive."
- "I received encouragement from a friend when I needed it most."
- "God gave me peace during a tough situation at work."
Tip: Be specific! The more detailed your entries are, the more impactful they’ll be when you look back and see just how deeply God has been working in your life.
5. Pray Over Each Entry
As you add each note to the jar, take a moment to pray and thank God for His goodness. This brief moment of gratitude can make all the difference, aligning your heart with God's faithfulness and fostering a habit of praise.
Tip: Turn this into part of your prayer routine. You might even want to set aside a specific time of day for adding to your jar, ensuring you never forget to reflect on God’s goodness.
6. Review Your Goodness Jar Regularly
The power of the Goodness Jar lies in reviewing its contents. Every so often—perhaps monthly, quarterly, or whenever you're feeling discouraged—open your jar and read through the notes. You’ll be amazed at how much God has done, and it will strengthen your faith during times when you might feel distant from His blessings.
Tip: Consider setting aside a special time with your family to read through the jar together. Sharing these moments with loved ones will encourage everyone and spark deeper conversations about God's faithfulness.
Transform Your Spiritual Journey
The practice of regularly noting and reflecting on God’s goodness does more than just keep track of blessings—it transforms your perspective. It helps you build a fortress of faith, reminding you to trust in God, even when things look uncertain. Like David, you’ll be able to look back and say, “I would have lost heart unless I had believed.”
Make It A Family Affair!
A Goodness Jar is also a wonderful tool for teaching children or grandchildren about God’s faithfulness. You can help them develop the habit of gratitude by involving them in the process of adding to the jar. It becomes a visual and tangible way for them to understand that God is always at work in their lives.
Final Encouragement
In a world where it’s easy to become overwhelmed by negativity, the Goodness Jar is a reminder that God is ever-present and working for our good. The more you fill your jar, the more your heart will overflow with gratitude. Each piece of paper is a testimony to His faithfulness, creating a powerful witness to His work in your life.
Why not start today? Take a moment to reflect on how God has shown His goodness to you and make your first entry in the jar. As you continue this practice, you’ll find that your faith will grow, and your perspective will shift. You will truly see His goodness in the land of the living.
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
— Psalm 107:1
Would you like more creative ideas for your Goodness Jar or tips on how to involve your family?
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!
Let’s encourage one another in this journey of seeing and celebrating God’s goodness every day.
Making these jars are so nice. Dollar tree has a lot of jars that can be used.