Good for what?

Last issue we talked about this process of thoughts > emotions > actions (TEA). 

And I mentioned we would then talk about how sometimes this process is helpful/good, and other times unhelpful/not good.

In order to talk about that, though, we need to specify “helpful for what” or “good for what”.

What’s the purpose?

What’s the point?

If we ask someone, “Is that a good car?”, there are some built-in, underlying assumptions there. 

We can assume we are talking about: reliability, trustworthiness, comfort, intact and not broken, runs smoothly, gets decent gas mileage, etc. 

Those are various qualities or characteristics of a car that might be desirable, and relate to our purpose for the car. 

If someone asks us, “what is a good restaurant nearby”, we might assume that “good” has to do with:

• food that has enjoyable taste, 

• food that is pleasing to the eye (not sloppy or careless in presentation), 

• not overly expensive, and 

• pleasant staff, for example

We might reply with something like: “The food at ABC restaurant is really good, but it’s on the pricey side and it’s hard to get into.” 

That reflects several qualities or characteristics: taste, price, ease of access. 

Whether the restaurant is good or not depends on our intended purpose for the restaurant and how well the qualities meet our intended purpose. 

Are we looking for a cheap quick meal? 

Or are we looking for a high quality experience of taste and ambiance?

Purpose influences the determination of good or not good. 

ABC restaurant might be good for some of those purposes but not others. 

So … good for what?

What is the purpose or the desired outcome? 

When evaluating something as good or helpful or workable, we have to be clear on the “good for what” - the purpose, the desired outcome. 

The goodness of TEA … for …

The same is true for evaluating the goodness or “not-goodness” of thoughts/emotions/actions.

What’s the purpose; what’s the goal we are trying to achieve, or the ultimate value we are trying to move towards?

And are those thoughts/emotions/actions beneficial/effective for those purposes/goals?

Purposes or goals could be short term (I just need some food quickly because I am really hungry and in a rush), long term (I desire to eat healthy in general), or really big picture/existential (my body is a gift from God and I am called to take good care of it). 

We could go down the road of exploring various short-term purposes/goals, but at this moment I think it's more important to reflect on ultimate purposes/goals. 

(hmm… my purpose in writing this issue is to reflect on ultimate purposes:) 

Psychology Meets Theology: Values

I mentioned ACT last time. ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It’s an approach to doing psychotherapy, with an underlying philosophy about humans and human emotion/behavior/psychology. 

I’ll refer to it as secular because I don’t believe it was created with religion/spirituality/Christianity in mind - but in my experience it actually has a lot in common with psychological principles that I find in God’s word. 

One important commonality is the importance of purpose. 

ACT talks a lot about “values,” using that word to refer to “what’s important to you in life.” 

What are your ultimate values, aka purposes?

Family?

Friends?

Work?

Helping others?

What does God say about what we might place as our highest value/purpose?

We might reflect on the Westminster Shorter Catechism (modern English version) which asks “What is the main purpose of mankind?”

It answers: “Mankind’s main purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” 
(taken from https://www.cityreformed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/wsc.pdf - on 10/17/2025)

And we might consider Jesus sharing the greatest commandments in Matthew 22: 36-40

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” 

TEA for His Glory

So when we notice this process of thoughts/emotions/actions, might we also notice and reflect on the ultimate purpose. 

If we are going to evaluate and judge thoughts/emotions/actions as good/helpful/workable, or as not good/unhelpful/unworkable, we need to do that in relation to our ultimate values, purposes, and goals.

When various thoughts and emotions show up and lead me to action, are they helpful for glorifying God, for enjoying Him, for loving Him and loving others?

Or do those thoughts/emotions/actions get in the way of those purposes?

Of course in some moments the TEA are helpful/good, and in other moments unhelpful/not good. 

What are your ultimate purposes? 

Over the next week reflect on how your thoughts/emotions/actions are related to those purposes.

For His Glory,
Dr. Matt
www.drmattbridgman.com