In the book, Looking for the Good War, the author, Elizabeth D. Samet, points out that sometimes we tell ourselves stories about the good we do. These stories may not always agree with the facts.
Only God can be aware of all the facts, and his view, in the end, is the one that counts. We can come close to that view, but for our own sake, that is still a skewed view. We may exhilarate or depress ourselves with it.
I pray that I adopt, not a misleading view, but an elevating view (MAGA comes to mind) not to deceive myself but to keep up my spirits, and to keep up my relation with God, who knows all sides. I am sinful enough so I don’t need to dwell overly long on the mistakes others have made.
Civilization 