Here is the setup of the scene:

Maverick has just lost his REO and best friend in an aerial accident. He is so shaken up by the incident that he is not engaging in the dog fighting training – basically he is second guessing everything he is doing while flying – which could bleed over into combat in the future.

Viper, his wise commanding officer, is offering advice to help him get back on track and restore his confidence. Maverick needs to get over this, and quickly.

” The simple fact is you feel responsible for Goose and you have a confidence problem. Now I’m not gonna sit here and blow sunshine up your ass, Lieutenant. A good pilot is compelled to evaluate what’s happened, so he can apply what he’s learned.”

Same is true in life. We all do and say STUPID things. ALL of us can look back on many instances where we failed. Sometimes, we fail in a big way. However, a good man is compelled to evaluate how he has handled his failures so he can apply what he has learned.

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!