OPTIMISM

Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit – Romans 15:13

For the Believer in Christ, OPTIMISM is born by “the power of the Holy Spirit.” He empowers us to “abound in hope” even in situations that others would call ‘hopeless’! Paul the Apostle declared, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13). This was a revelation of his Optimistic Mind-set! The apostle had been in prison for a long time, falsely charged and unjustly treated, yet he wrote such inspiring and positive words. In Paul's condition one might not expect him to be half as optimistic! Yet, he recognized that he was not limited in what he could do, thus leaving us an example. The reality of our redemption is that every Child of God can do all things that are profitable, regardless of circumstances! This grace is provided “through Christ” – our Source of Strength. Optimism should be our habitual mind-set irrespective of the situation.

The twelve spies that Moses sent out into Canaan all saw and experienced the same thing, yet they made different claims about what could be done. It all had to do with how they viewed the Lord and His promises. Joshua and Caleb said “we can; we are well able”, and they were, even though it took them four decades! Forty years later when Caleb entered the land, he proclaimed: “Give me this mountain” (Jos. 14:12). He had another spirit – a positive, optimistic attitude – and followed the Lord wholly (Num. 14:24; Jos.14:8). The other ten pessimistic spies admitted that they were “not able” and that became their lot; they died like grasshoppers, wandering in the wilderness! Although Joshua and Caleb had to linger with the others, but they reached their goal -- in time! He who thinks he can, very likely can and will! Whereas, those who think they can't are right, and surely will not, because they will follow what they think.

Some people fail to begin the Christian life, thinking they can’t endure the Way of the Cross! Some start and drop out, thinking there are too many challenges. However, others like Paul, even under difficult circumstances finish their course (2 Tim. 4:6-8). An Optimist is a person who takes the cold water thrown on his Idea, heats it with Enthusiasm, makes steam and pushes ahead. To one person the world is desolate, dull and empty; to another the same world looks rich, interesting and full of meaning and value. The Choice is up to You. Most people complain because roses have thorns. You should rather be thankful that thorns have roses. If you look at life the wrong way, there is always cause for alarm.

Here are some counsels to optimize your Optimism:

• Stop taking Journeys into the Past.
• Don’t let Regrets replace Your Dreams.
• Never let Yesterday use up too much of your Today.
• Regrets look back. Worry looks around. Hope looks Up.
• Faith looks forward. Vision sees the End from the Beginning.
• Life can be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.
• Look backward with Gratitude and forward with Confidence.

What you see depends mainly on what you look for. Expectation determines Motivation, Momentum, and Manifestation. Always expect something good to happen. Life responds to your Outlook. The way each day will look to you starts with Who you’re looking to. As you look to God and believe Him, you’ll see opportunities in every problem, rather than problems in the middle of opportunities. Start each day with Optimism. Thinking about negatives simply builds into them a power that they don’t possess. Stop focusing on how stressed you are; remember how blessed you are. Complaining won’t change the outcome; but an optimistic attitude will. Dream Big, Believe Big and Pray Big. This is what’s likely to happen – Big Things!