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See the Good: Finding Grace, Gratitude, and Optimism in Every Day
Do you think the world is getting better or worse?
Is it becoming easier or harder to be a Christian?
So many of us fear where things are headed in the culture, the church, and our own lives. But did you know the world is getting better in countless ways? (No, that is not a typo!) What could change if we focused on the good?
After almost losing his mother to cancer and wrestling with his own faith, Zach Windahl learned to take whatever life threw at him and chose to be joyful. With vibrant and inspiring storytelling, See the Good will show you not only how but why you should focus on the positive and see the extraordinary in everything around you.
Life is hard--there's no denying that. But choosing to put our focus on the good leads to the profound benefits that come from seeing life as an amazing gift from the One who loves us best.
Is it becoming easier or harder to be a Christian?
So many of us fear where things are headed in the culture, the church, and our own lives. But did you know the world is getting better in countless ways? (No, that is not a typo!) What could change if we focused on the good?
After almost losing his mother to cancer and wrestling with his own faith, Zach Windahl learned to take whatever life threw at him and chose to be joyful. With vibrant and inspiring storytelling, See the Good will show you not only how but why you should focus on the positive and see the extraordinary in everything around you.
Life is hard--there's no denying that. But choosing to put our focus on the good leads to the profound benefits that come from seeing life as an amazing gift from the One who loves us best.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2022
59 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 13, 2023
This book was a breath of fresh air. “See the Good” is not just another self-help book or just about “optimism” - this book helps you look at God & the world differently. Through biblical stories and his own life, the author shows you how joy is essential for humankind, and that God created us with the intent of being happy. This book also helps you shift into a gratitude mindset. I personally experienced this. and I will be keeping this book on my shelf, in case I’ll need another reminder.
August 12, 2023
This was OK. I smiled some, nodded along at points, and maybe got a handful of good ideas. I was hoping for more out of it, but it was still an enjoyable listen.
August 19, 2025
Really good messages with perspectives everyone should hear! I just wish the writing was set up a little differently because some parts lost my focus too fast. I think expected more engagement than rambling, but this was my first time reading a book like this.
November 2, 2022
I throughly enjoy reading this book! Bob Goff describes it well, Zach acknowledges the hard parts of life, and then points to the good! It can be so easy to focus on the bad things happening in our world today, but with an eternal Biblical perspective we can really see the good! I love the way Zach writes, it is easy to read and makes me look forward to scrolling through the pages. I absolutely recommend this for anyone feeling hopeless or just wanting a new perspective on the world today. A positive, God-centered mindset never hurts! I also enjoy that this is based in Bible, not just a motivational speech.
July 20, 2022
Zach Windahl came off in the first few pages as sort of arrogant and self-centered. Maybe it was just me.
HOWEVER--as I kept reading, I felt he did that to get our attention. See the Good takes society's negative misconceptions of the world and pulls out positivity in every situation. As my first impression of Zach was negative, I kept reading and began seeing the positive. Although he seemed to idolize a man because he could cook, I tried to get past some things that went against my personal beliefs. By the end of this book, I enjoyed getting to know his opinions and he has a way of opening your eyes to the positive side of life.
Although I don't agree with all of his thoughts, I still respect the fact that he is trying to spread the word of God through his story.
Slow start, but overall good read.
I recommend this for anyone who needs to find good in a seemingly bad world.
HOWEVER--as I kept reading, I felt he did that to get our attention. See the Good takes society's negative misconceptions of the world and pulls out positivity in every situation. As my first impression of Zach was negative, I kept reading and began seeing the positive. Although he seemed to idolize a man because he could cook, I tried to get past some things that went against my personal beliefs. By the end of this book, I enjoyed getting to know his opinions and he has a way of opening your eyes to the positive side of life.
Although I don't agree with all of his thoughts, I still respect the fact that he is trying to spread the word of God through his story.
Slow start, but overall good read.
I recommend this for anyone who needs to find good in a seemingly bad world.
Read
November 6, 2022Author and entrepreneur Zach Windahl wanted his readers to approach each day with gratitude in their hearts and hope for tomorrow. He wanted them to see God's vision for their lives and His kingdom purposes. He wanted Christians to rewrite the narrative of their stories, see God on the move around them, and to love and be a blessing to others. What a breath of fresh air!
As a writer, Zach starts with a personal story, usually one with adventure and a dash or two of humor. He reminded me of Bob Goff who wrote the foreword. He moves from light-hearted to serious. The reader is entertained, learns a bit about Zach, reads a great story, and then is connected to scriptures from the Bible that lead to a big idea or concept. Then, he has these great questions in each chapter for the reader to answer.
Zach said he gained his positive mindset during his “unique” childhood. From ages 4-15, he witnessed his mother battling serious illnesses. She had a 5-percent chance to survive her first diagnosis of stage-4 ovarian cancer. During that time, she accepted Christ. She survived and would also battle a tumor on her sciatic nerve, as well as colon and breast cancers. She found herself in and out of hospital. Throughout this time, she didn’t let go of her joy, her faith and her optimistic outlook. Yes, the outcome could have been fatal, but it wasn't. She was alive.
And it’s that faith-filled optimism Zach lives out today. He wanted to help Christians change the way they think about life, God, and the world around them. He said we have the choice to decide the story we’ll tell. Every circumstance we face has two sides and two ways of thinking about it. We can “incorporate a practice of gratitude,” he said, recognize the good around us and call it out.
Many view this world as worse than ever, and living out our faith in Jesus Christ has become challenging. Here, Zach mentioned Emperor Nero, saying at least we aren't being fed to the lions like early Christians. Truth! And the news media tells the news that sells. He reminded me of the saying, "If it bleeds, it leads."
Some good news items though that Zach pointed out were things like our technological and medical advances and major decreases in things like poverty and child labor. Instead of just ignoring bad news though, he wanted readers to go a step further. We can use that information to inspire action and find solutions to problems around us. We might not solve world hunger, for example, he said, but we can buy a homeless person lunch.
Zach had me rethinking some ideas I had just accepted. As a Christian, I knew this world is not my true home, and I do love the thought that my citizenship is in Heaven. But I have dual citizenship. Zach said some believe we have no responsibility here on earth, but really we’re called to be good stewards of the gifts and resources God provides us. We have a role to play here and now. The kingdom is at hand and not something in the future. Zach said we need to bring Heaven to earth.
His message of having an "attitude of gratitude" and optimism sounds easy. Anticipating that, Zach showed how this change in thinking doesn’t happen overnight. The example he gave changed my thinking about the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Reading about their complaining and disobedience in the past, I always thought, “Man, the Israelites were so ungrateful. They had God in their midst and walked through dry land at the parting of the Red Sea. How cool was that? They ate manna from Heaven. How could they go and make a golden calf to worship?!”
Zach said it took 40 years in the wilderness for the Israelites to rid themselves of the Egyptian mindset after 400 YEARS of slavery. I emphasized that on purpose. The Egyptians saw the Israelites for what they could produce them, so the Israelites thought that producing was their value. To have God tell them their true worth apart from what they could produce must have been a shock. The Sabbath -- a day to rest and to worship the Lord -- must have been exceptionally hard to wrap their collective heads around.
They needed some “rewiring,” Zach said, and we do, too. In our current hustle culture, we are not unlike them. We define ourselves by what we do in the world and not who we are in Christ. The work He has for us to do is light and tied with rest. (Matthew 11:28-30).
I wrote down several of Zach’s questions posed in each chapter to do some work on my own in my journal. They are great prompts. He provided 52 more of them at the end of the book. Some examples:
“How many moments do we miss out on by becoming numb to beauty?”
“What do you need to lean into to get through tough seasons?”
“Is [God] a difficult boss just waiting for you to make a mistake, or [do you see Him] as joyful and loving, asking you to participate in His happiness?”
“What has been spoken over you that is false? Ask God what lie you are believing and confront it because He didn’t put it there.”
That last question has been on my mind the most. I agreed with Zach that often those we love the most can say negative things over our lives that just aren't true about us. They are played on repeat for so long that the message goes unchallenged. I have work to do in prayer now.
The story he told about paying it forward stuck with me the most. I think of it as Mandy’s cup of coffee from a stranger. One act of kindness can have a larger impact. I won’t give that story away. I’ve enjoyed Zach’s ideas and gave them space to roam in my mind, so I hope others will as well. I’ve seen new things in the scriptures he shared and a new way to view my life here on earth as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Finally, I think Zach needs to write a travel book for Minnesota, his home state, and include many photos. He made me want to go visit Spoon and Stable restaurant. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for the opportunity to read and review this book.
As a writer, Zach starts with a personal story, usually one with adventure and a dash or two of humor. He reminded me of Bob Goff who wrote the foreword. He moves from light-hearted to serious. The reader is entertained, learns a bit about Zach, reads a great story, and then is connected to scriptures from the Bible that lead to a big idea or concept. Then, he has these great questions in each chapter for the reader to answer.
Zach said he gained his positive mindset during his “unique” childhood. From ages 4-15, he witnessed his mother battling serious illnesses. She had a 5-percent chance to survive her first diagnosis of stage-4 ovarian cancer. During that time, she accepted Christ. She survived and would also battle a tumor on her sciatic nerve, as well as colon and breast cancers. She found herself in and out of hospital. Throughout this time, she didn’t let go of her joy, her faith and her optimistic outlook. Yes, the outcome could have been fatal, but it wasn't. She was alive.
And it’s that faith-filled optimism Zach lives out today. He wanted to help Christians change the way they think about life, God, and the world around them. He said we have the choice to decide the story we’ll tell. Every circumstance we face has two sides and two ways of thinking about it. We can “incorporate a practice of gratitude,” he said, recognize the good around us and call it out.
Many view this world as worse than ever, and living out our faith in Jesus Christ has become challenging. Here, Zach mentioned Emperor Nero, saying at least we aren't being fed to the lions like early Christians. Truth! And the news media tells the news that sells. He reminded me of the saying, "If it bleeds, it leads."
Some good news items though that Zach pointed out were things like our technological and medical advances and major decreases in things like poverty and child labor. Instead of just ignoring bad news though, he wanted readers to go a step further. We can use that information to inspire action and find solutions to problems around us. We might not solve world hunger, for example, he said, but we can buy a homeless person lunch.
Zach had me rethinking some ideas I had just accepted. As a Christian, I knew this world is not my true home, and I do love the thought that my citizenship is in Heaven. But I have dual citizenship. Zach said some believe we have no responsibility here on earth, but really we’re called to be good stewards of the gifts and resources God provides us. We have a role to play here and now. The kingdom is at hand and not something in the future. Zach said we need to bring Heaven to earth.
His message of having an "attitude of gratitude" and optimism sounds easy. Anticipating that, Zach showed how this change in thinking doesn’t happen overnight. The example he gave changed my thinking about the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Reading about their complaining and disobedience in the past, I always thought, “Man, the Israelites were so ungrateful. They had God in their midst and walked through dry land at the parting of the Red Sea. How cool was that? They ate manna from Heaven. How could they go and make a golden calf to worship?!”
Zach said it took 40 years in the wilderness for the Israelites to rid themselves of the Egyptian mindset after 400 YEARS of slavery. I emphasized that on purpose. The Egyptians saw the Israelites for what they could produce them, so the Israelites thought that producing was their value. To have God tell them their true worth apart from what they could produce must have been a shock. The Sabbath -- a day to rest and to worship the Lord -- must have been exceptionally hard to wrap their collective heads around.
They needed some “rewiring,” Zach said, and we do, too. In our current hustle culture, we are not unlike them. We define ourselves by what we do in the world and not who we are in Christ. The work He has for us to do is light and tied with rest. (Matthew 11:28-30).
I wrote down several of Zach’s questions posed in each chapter to do some work on my own in my journal. They are great prompts. He provided 52 more of them at the end of the book. Some examples:
“How many moments do we miss out on by becoming numb to beauty?”
“What do you need to lean into to get through tough seasons?”
“Is [God] a difficult boss just waiting for you to make a mistake, or [do you see Him] as joyful and loving, asking you to participate in His happiness?”
“What has been spoken over you that is false? Ask God what lie you are believing and confront it because He didn’t put it there.”
That last question has been on my mind the most. I agreed with Zach that often those we love the most can say negative things over our lives that just aren't true about us. They are played on repeat for so long that the message goes unchallenged. I have work to do in prayer now.
The story he told about paying it forward stuck with me the most. I think of it as Mandy’s cup of coffee from a stranger. One act of kindness can have a larger impact. I won’t give that story away. I’ve enjoyed Zach’s ideas and gave them space to roam in my mind, so I hope others will as well. I’ve seen new things in the scriptures he shared and a new way to view my life here on earth as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Finally, I think Zach needs to write a travel book for Minnesota, his home state, and include many photos. He made me want to go visit Spoon and Stable restaurant. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 12, 2022
Do you think things are getting better or worse in our world today? In See the Good by Zach Windahl, Windahl encourages us to see the good in our world today.
The forward to See the Good is written by Bob Goff(as a Bob Goff fan, this was a perk for me). In Goff's two-page forward, he tells us that he knows Windahl personally and he is someone who sees the good in spite of the difficult situations in life. He isn't someone out there just sugar coating things without seeing the hard stuff.
See the Good is divided into two parts: Changing the Way We See and How to Live it Out, which I think are fairly self-explanatory titles. Throughout the book, Windahl shares his personal stories mixed with Bible stories and verses to help us see how we can focus on the positive as well as how we can integrate good things into our life and way of seeing things. He also helps us see why we should do that and the benefits when we do.
I could relate to a lot of what Windahl shared related to his home state of Minnesota as I live in border Iowa so I have an idea of the climate and the culture. Even if you aren't a Midwesterner, I think you will find something to relate to in See the Good because Windahl is down-to-earth and writes in such a way that he is easy to relate to. His spirit of adventure also comes through on the page as he shared stories from various places he has lived besides Minnesota.
At the back of See the Good are 52 gratitude journal prompts. I like that idea. I read through them and found them interesting to think about and reflect on--although I haven't actually journaled them yet. They could make for some good gratitude journaling though,
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
The forward to See the Good is written by Bob Goff(as a Bob Goff fan, this was a perk for me). In Goff's two-page forward, he tells us that he knows Windahl personally and he is someone who sees the good in spite of the difficult situations in life. He isn't someone out there just sugar coating things without seeing the hard stuff.
See the Good is divided into two parts: Changing the Way We See and How to Live it Out, which I think are fairly self-explanatory titles. Throughout the book, Windahl shares his personal stories mixed with Bible stories and verses to help us see how we can focus on the positive as well as how we can integrate good things into our life and way of seeing things. He also helps us see why we should do that and the benefits when we do.
I could relate to a lot of what Windahl shared related to his home state of Minnesota as I live in border Iowa so I have an idea of the climate and the culture. Even if you aren't a Midwesterner, I think you will find something to relate to in See the Good because Windahl is down-to-earth and writes in such a way that he is easy to relate to. His spirit of adventure also comes through on the page as he shared stories from various places he has lived besides Minnesota.
At the back of See the Good are 52 gratitude journal prompts. I like that idea. I read through them and found them interesting to think about and reflect on--although I haven't actually journaled them yet. They could make for some good gratitude journaling though,
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
June 18, 2023
Way back when podcasts were first becoming a thing, Mark Lowry and Tony Campolo teamed up for a weekly chat. During one of these, Tony said something that pivoted how I try to look at life. He said something along the lines of, "If you want to know how spiritually healthy a person is, don't ask about their past, ask about their future."
Although I am not an optimist, since that time I have strived to at least force myself into a positive outlook at life whenever my pessimism or pragmatism becomes too overbearing. For that reason, I felt this book was an important one for me to read.
Windahl breaks See the Good into two parts of six chapters each. The first part demonstrates the importance of optimism. For both our physical and spiritual health, we need to "see the good." The second half of the book demonstrates how to do this.
I have to admit something. I am pretty sure if I were to meet Zach Windahl in real life, I don't think we would be friends. At least, not if he is the way he portrays himself in this book. People with the over-the-top exuberant cheerfulness he seems to walk around with annoy me to no end. While I recognize that they are probably enjoying the heck out of life (or at least pretending to), I can only enjoy them in small doses. Very. Small. Doses. This is certainly true of this book.
For those who generally have an optimistic view of life, you will probably love this book. For those who don't, you probably won't. But you should read it anyways. It's good for ya.
Although I am not an optimist, since that time I have strived to at least force myself into a positive outlook at life whenever my pessimism or pragmatism becomes too overbearing. For that reason, I felt this book was an important one for me to read.
Windahl breaks See the Good into two parts of six chapters each. The first part demonstrates the importance of optimism. For both our physical and spiritual health, we need to "see the good." The second half of the book demonstrates how to do this.
I have to admit something. I am pretty sure if I were to meet Zach Windahl in real life, I don't think we would be friends. At least, not if he is the way he portrays himself in this book. People with the over-the-top exuberant cheerfulness he seems to walk around with annoy me to no end. While I recognize that they are probably enjoying the heck out of life (or at least pretending to), I can only enjoy them in small doses. Very. Small. Doses. This is certainly true of this book.
For those who generally have an optimistic view of life, you will probably love this book. For those who don't, you probably won't. But you should read it anyways. It's good for ya.
November 14, 2022
See The Good was even better than advertised! That’s hard to do when you have smiley faces on the cover. This book was written after the author posted a survey asking people whether they thought things were better or worse today compared to yesterday. The resounding answer was “yes” and and the author, Zach Windahl, couldn’t believe it! Zach is that author you feel like you’re having a conversation with as he writes and you know instantly he’s a “there you are” kind of guy, not a “here I am” type. With his personal and energetic writing style, Zach takes the reader to places of deep thought with historical backdrops as well as to more simple yet profound truths in funny and lighthearted ways. I appreciate his desire to make Biblical truths relatable. His personal stories are effective at making great applicable points. I was swayed quickly from a the-world-is-getting-worse stance to believing that is simply not true and I actually might have some part to play in living that out! I have already recommended this book to several friends and plan to gift it at the holidays. I highly recommend you read this book right away. I bet you won’t stop with just one read.
November 15, 2022
See the Good is a book with heart. Its message is one that many of us need. And in all honesty, I didn’t feel that I was one of the many who needed it. I’m not a person who’s innately negative. I can generally rise above my emotions or the emotions of others around me in order to gain a clearer perspective, and because of all of that, I entered into reading See the Good feeling like the author wouldn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know or understand about life. I’m happy to report that I was wrong. Through See the Good and the many biblical and historical references and anecdotes that the author shares, I came to understand that positivity alone is not the goal. The goal is to consistently acknowledge God’s presence in every moment of our lives and to do so by calling out and focusing on the good that we see in others and the good that we see in the world. I think that this message will ring true with many as it did for me. It is timely and delivered not a moment too soon.
December 28, 2022
The Book We Didn't Want, We Needed
A very good book on seeing the upside on humanity.
In these days of COVID, war, genocide, fentanyl, housing unafforability, authoritarianism, corruption and more - this was a great book that I needed to read.
This book was a fresh breath of air for me.
Really uplifting and well written.
It was also nice to hear from Bob Goff, without him having any "Goff moments"!
Would recommend!
4.5/5
A very good book on seeing the upside on humanity.
In these days of COVID, war, genocide, fentanyl, housing unafforability, authoritarianism, corruption and more - this was a great book that I needed to read.
This book was a fresh breath of air for me.
Really uplifting and well written.
It was also nice to hear from Bob Goff, without him having any "Goff moments"!
Would recommend!
4.5/5
November 15, 2022
A huge thanks to Tyndale Publishers for my complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
See the Good is my first book by Zach Windahl and I absolutely enjoyed it. It's a book about being optimistic instead of pessimist. I loved how the author was relatable, humorous, honest and down to earth as he tackled how Christians tend to be influenced by their environment instead of their faith.. I loved how my habit of complaining was tackled and how I was inspired to rely more on God and his biblical word that is the same yesterday and forever.
See the Good is my first book by Zach Windahl and I absolutely enjoyed it. It's a book about being optimistic instead of pessimist. I loved how the author was relatable, humorous, honest and down to earth as he tackled how Christians tend to be influenced by their environment instead of their faith.. I loved how my habit of complaining was tackled and how I was inspired to rely more on God and his biblical word that is the same yesterday and forever.
September 5, 2024
Truly a life changing book. A book I plan to re-read many times. So beautifully written and eye opening!
November 20, 2022
If you need a big fat smile and heartfelt mindset restart, READ THIS BOOK! Believe me when I tell you, Zach is one of my most favorite people that I don't actually know. I was introduced to his other works surrounding the Bible and have been hooked ever since. Not only does Zach exude optimism, he makes faith and God's words so relatable. This book contains a well put together montage of situations in where Zach reminds you to, well, see the good. It may sound simple, but this book reminds me how easy it is to forget how good life is. I will most definitely be reading it more than once, and I will be recommending it to everyone I know and love! You need Zach and his faith in your life, and you need to read this book :-)
November 20, 2022
This was definitely not what I expected it to be. I went into this thinking that it was one of those "just be joyful and be nice people". I'm not saying that its not that, it is. But its more too. Zach went into church history and also referenced scripture A LOT. Referencing scripture is really import to when I read Christian inspirational.
Zack had me googling words like Enuma Elish and roach. Have your Bible, google and notebook ready. There are so many times that I had to stop and jot down some quotes.
I really enjoyed this book and will be referencing it quite often.
Zack had me googling words like Enuma Elish and roach. Have your Bible, google and notebook ready. There are so many times that I had to stop and jot down some quotes.
I really enjoyed this book and will be referencing it quite often.
September 23, 2022
Negativity seems to be at the forefront. News headlines focus on the bad things that have happened, social media posts highlight what went wrong or who did wrong, and people in general can be heard to criticize people and things around them. Is this how is is supposed to be? If not, what should we be doing instead? Zach Windahl has a simple solution in See the Good.
If we would stop looking at the negative and look at the positive, because it is there, we’d be able to see how much good God has done and is doing. It isn’t about ignoring the bad and pretending it doesn’t exist, but instead trusting God to follow through on His promises. This book is a great read for any Christian, but especially for ones that struggle to find joy in the dreariness that may surround them.
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If we would stop looking at the negative and look at the positive, because it is there, we’d be able to see how much good God has done and is doing. It isn’t about ignoring the bad and pretending it doesn’t exist, but instead trusting God to follow through on His promises. This book is a great read for any Christian, but especially for ones that struggle to find joy in the dreariness that may surround them.
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2022
I like how the book focused on how every situation, no matter how terrible it may seem, has a positive perspective if you choose to think that way. It’s a long journey to change your mindset, but it makes all the difference in every second of your life. Good book overall.
November 26, 2022
In See the Good, Zach Windahl has written a book about helping us to change our perspective and choosing to discover the good. We can learn to see that the world is in fact becoming a better place. In the book, he opened up about almost losing his own mother to cancer. When he was just four years old, his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She was given a 5% chance of living. He explained how difficult it was in witnessing her become skin and bone. Everything changed when a family friend reached out to her and reminded her about Jesus. She was eventually healed physically but over the years she still battled health issues until he was about age 15. He shared how he never saw her complain to God or have a poor me mentality. He begins the book by sharing how he created a poll asking people two questions about the state of the world. What he found out was that many Christians had negative outlooks on the world. In the book, he explained the importance of changing out views and perspectives and choosing our own story. He carefully described how we can bring Heaven to earth and we are all alive at this present time to fulfill our purpose. He explored the topic of negativity bias and how we need to show more gratitude and to be thankful. Neuroscientists have discovered that we are all born with negativity bias. When we face something dangerous, it registers into our brains and it tries to protect us from future harm.
He also opened up about his personal struggle with anxiety. In school, he battled a constant struggle with throwing up. If he was around certain smells or environments this would bring it on. The majority of it was caused by great stress and he found out some of his family members also experiences simpler issues with anxiety. He was forced to eat in the classroom everyday instead of the cafeteria. His teachers would have to try and find volunteers to eat lunch with him. He shared a list of things people fear. He also shared how he was officially diagnosed with anxiety in 2014 after getting sick at work and having anxiety attacks. It was later discovered that it was humidity and he had to take nose spray medication to relieve the symptoms. He used this story to describe how we need to be extremely careful in believing what others have declared over our lives.
I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is ready to see the good in life and they are sick and tired of living negativity and feeling down. I really enjoyed the discussion on becoming more optimism and not living like the world is ending and getting worst. There is power in this book and changing our thoughts and focusing on the good in life. One of my favorite stories he shared was Moses and how Israel found their identity as being as children of God. They no longer were seen as just workers building bricks for Pharaoh. He used this story to remind us how critical it is to renew our minds daily and how challenging it is to do so. I really connected with him when he shared his childhood experiences with stress and how he was able to move forward. I also liked the style of the book and how spaced out all the sentences were and I think it made it more appealing to the young readers.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”
He also opened up about his personal struggle with anxiety. In school, he battled a constant struggle with throwing up. If he was around certain smells or environments this would bring it on. The majority of it was caused by great stress and he found out some of his family members also experiences simpler issues with anxiety. He was forced to eat in the classroom everyday instead of the cafeteria. His teachers would have to try and find volunteers to eat lunch with him. He shared a list of things people fear. He also shared how he was officially diagnosed with anxiety in 2014 after getting sick at work and having anxiety attacks. It was later discovered that it was humidity and he had to take nose spray medication to relieve the symptoms. He used this story to describe how we need to be extremely careful in believing what others have declared over our lives.
I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is ready to see the good in life and they are sick and tired of living negativity and feeling down. I really enjoyed the discussion on becoming more optimism and not living like the world is ending and getting worst. There is power in this book and changing our thoughts and focusing on the good in life. One of my favorite stories he shared was Moses and how Israel found their identity as being as children of God. They no longer were seen as just workers building bricks for Pharaoh. He used this story to remind us how critical it is to renew our minds daily and how challenging it is to do so. I really connected with him when he shared his childhood experiences with stress and how he was able to move forward. I also liked the style of the book and how spaced out all the sentences were and I think it made it more appealing to the young readers.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”
November 10, 2023
Do you only see the bad or also see the good?
Author of several books and entrepreneur Zach Windahl presents his book "See the Good. Finding Grace, Gratitude, and Optimism in Every Day", published by Bethany House Publishers. The book is divided into two parts: Part One "Changing the Way We See" with topics such as "Shifting Our Perspectives", "You Decide the Story", or "It's a Celebration", and Part Two "How to Live It Out" with topics such as ""See the Good", "How to Be a Blessing" or "And Then You Breathe".
Windahl is very open and honest. In Chapter 1 he states: "Since the age of four, I have been given a forced education in how joy works and was introduced to the importance of gratitude toward life because it was almost taken away before my eyes." He tells his readers in the same chapter: "We get to decide what story we’re telling. God is literally allowing us to participate in the ongoing creation of the world. These are the days the church was created for. What an extraordinary thing to be alive and have this experience. What else could we want?" I highly appreciated his good reminder in chapter 2: "We focus so much on the spiritual but lack ownership of the material reality we participate in every day. We identify with another place, so we feel it’s no longer our responsibility to look after the one where we are currently living. God is present in the material world just as much as he is present in the spiritual world. Our role remains the same. To bring heaven to earth, now." According to Windahl our role as believers is to find God in everything.
This was the first book from this author which I read. I am highly encouraged that he challenges his readers and I recommend the book to readers who want to engage with the importance of gratitude and of searching for the good in their own lives. The book contains notes at the end that can serve for referencing and for further studies. The appendix with 52 Gratitude Journal Prompts will help readers to start putting the book into practice.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#SeeTheGood #Netgalley
Author of several books and entrepreneur Zach Windahl presents his book "See the Good. Finding Grace, Gratitude, and Optimism in Every Day", published by Bethany House Publishers. The book is divided into two parts: Part One "Changing the Way We See" with topics such as "Shifting Our Perspectives", "You Decide the Story", or "It's a Celebration", and Part Two "How to Live It Out" with topics such as ""See the Good", "How to Be a Blessing" or "And Then You Breathe".
Windahl is very open and honest. In Chapter 1 he states: "Since the age of four, I have been given a forced education in how joy works and was introduced to the importance of gratitude toward life because it was almost taken away before my eyes." He tells his readers in the same chapter: "We get to decide what story we’re telling. God is literally allowing us to participate in the ongoing creation of the world. These are the days the church was created for. What an extraordinary thing to be alive and have this experience. What else could we want?" I highly appreciated his good reminder in chapter 2: "We focus so much on the spiritual but lack ownership of the material reality we participate in every day. We identify with another place, so we feel it’s no longer our responsibility to look after the one where we are currently living. God is present in the material world just as much as he is present in the spiritual world. Our role remains the same. To bring heaven to earth, now." According to Windahl our role as believers is to find God in everything.
This was the first book from this author which I read. I am highly encouraged that he challenges his readers and I recommend the book to readers who want to engage with the importance of gratitude and of searching for the good in their own lives. The book contains notes at the end that can serve for referencing and for further studies. The appendix with 52 Gratitude Journal Prompts will help readers to start putting the book into practice.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#SeeTheGood #Netgalley
December 13, 2022
As someone who is often pessimistic, I thought reading and reviewing See the Good would be useful for own personal journey. I really wanted to like the book but in the end I don't think this book was a right fit for me.
Let me share what I liked about the book first:
1. The font choice and size made it very easy to read.
2. The layout of the book (chapters, subheadings, etc.) made it easy to pick and read.
3. The author is very personable and seems like your friend by the end of the book.
4. It asks a lot of questions which get you thinking about your perspective on the world.
5. There are some clear, specific ways in which you can see the good and help others find the good too.
My problems with See the Good revolve around references to individuals, sources, and popular topics in the news and world. I do not necessarily agree with the perspective offered by the author. I also was not fond of some of the word choices.
Did I find the book interesting and useful? Yes. Will I be rereading it? Probably not. But it might be useful for some who have a different outlook on things than I do.
Note: I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
Let me share what I liked about the book first:
1. The font choice and size made it very easy to read.
2. The layout of the book (chapters, subheadings, etc.) made it easy to pick and read.
3. The author is very personable and seems like your friend by the end of the book.
4. It asks a lot of questions which get you thinking about your perspective on the world.
5. There are some clear, specific ways in which you can see the good and help others find the good too.
My problems with See the Good revolve around references to individuals, sources, and popular topics in the news and world. I do not necessarily agree with the perspective offered by the author. I also was not fond of some of the word choices.
Did I find the book interesting and useful? Yes. Will I be rereading it? Probably not. But it might be useful for some who have a different outlook on things than I do.
Note: I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 17, 2022
As someone that has been on a mission to find joy in every circumstance since June, this book has helped me stay grounded in all that I am trying to learn.
See the good showed me that there is a shift i can tune into and to find optimism in every season.
Zach’s perspective on finding gratitude and joy even while facing doubt and struggling in my faith has changed my life. This book is teaching me how to press into the little things we often take for granted and find God’s face in all we do.
Being a blessing to other people, loving our neighbor, and seeing yourself as God sees you are a few of the many valuable lessons emphasized in this book.
All in all, I would say this is an excellent read for those that want to roll out of pessimism and truly understand the heart of Jesus.
Spoiler alert: he even provided some gratitude prompts to get into the habit of seeing the good!
See the good showed me that there is a shift i can tune into and to find optimism in every season.
Zach’s perspective on finding gratitude and joy even while facing doubt and struggling in my faith has changed my life. This book is teaching me how to press into the little things we often take for granted and find God’s face in all we do.
Being a blessing to other people, loving our neighbor, and seeing yourself as God sees you are a few of the many valuable lessons emphasized in this book.
All in all, I would say this is an excellent read for those that want to roll out of pessimism and truly understand the heart of Jesus.
Spoiler alert: he even provided some gratitude prompts to get into the habit of seeing the good!
November 17, 2022
Looking for a way to be more positive and erase grey from your life? Look no further! See The Good starts with a large dose of perspective & Good News. Continues on with laughs and self-reflective anecdotes that will make you want to improve. I even teared up with a smile on my face a few times! This book encouraged me to think about who in my life offers constant encouragement; do they get encouraged or are they often not encouraged since people assume they don't need it? Do you hear cheering in your head whenever a simple task or accomplishment occurs? This book & this author are here for you. A quick and calming read that will help you overcome "doom and gloom" and replace it with active positivity.
May 18, 2025
At first I thought this book might be one of those self-help positive affirmations type books that doesn’t have much biblical grounding. However, it’s not like that at all. The author presents his perspective in an engaging and easy-to-read manner, and it is both scriptural and inspiring. This book is definitely needed in our culture and day and age. I would consider myself to be a person who regularly attempts to find joy in all my circumstances and this book still challenged me and called me so much higher. Zach Windahl writes like he’s talking to you as a friend and yet still shares so much truth and revelation. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone. We could all use a perspective shift!
November 18, 2024
I disagreed somewhat with the author's theology, especially toward the beginning of the book. I do not think that the world is getting better, and the Bible tells us that it will not get better but rather worse the closer we get to the end times. Also, this earth WILL pass away; the Bible clearly speaks of the new heaven and the new earth. That is not to say that we shouldn't be joyful and grateful, but the Lord isn't going to "make this earth better"; He's going to bring about a new earth and a new heaven where we will once again live with Him like Adam and Eve did in Eden.
April 1, 2025
Just the book I needed at this point in my life. An easy to read, practical book to find optimism and joy in our daily lives. I really enjoyed Zach's sense of humor and reminders throughout the book to pivot our thinking and think differently.
It has short paragraphs and large text, which helped the ease of reading.
It has short paragraphs and large text, which helped the ease of reading.
November 20, 2022
This book touches on things that are hard to start a new pattern to change your old one but with an effort to be happier and find ways to be grateful. This book makes you think and also has humor, and scriptures and I enjoyed it.
December 16, 2022
This book is refreshing and life giving. God is doing more than we know and he is inviting us into the adventure of a lifetime. Zach’s joy spills into every page — and it’s not just superficial — his love for Jesus and the people He created is infectious. This is a must read!
May 24, 2023
The book had some great moments, but overall I think there were too many stories. I couldn’t keep track of all I was reading. I would recommend the book, but I would say you need to like a little chaos to enjoy it.
December 13, 2023
I’ve been reading a few pages of this one each day before school to start my day on a positive note, and I love it. I really loved how the author acknowledges tough situations & then points you towards the good. I am learning to be more hopeful & optimistic.
December 22, 2024
I loved this book. Clear examples but it had a very clear and beautiful message, and it did help me to start seeing the world and the gift of life that God has given me in a new and very beautiful way.
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