Optimism = "hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something."
In order to better understand people’s views of the world, a researcher once placed two children, one a pessimist and the other an optimist, alone in separate rooms.
The pessimist was placed in a colorful room full of all kinds of imaginative toys…the optimist was put in a room filled with horse manure.
The first child played in the room for a little while, but soon came to the door asking to leave because the toys were boring and because they broke too easily.
Likewise, the young optimist soon came to the door…but rather than asking to leave, she asked for a shovel.
Of course, the researcher asked the child why she wanted a shovel.
She replied, “With all this manure around, I know that there must be a pony in here somewhere.”
--------------------------------
I think that is today's life there are many things that can make us pessimistic about life. Stories about war, strife, hunger, ungodliness and many other things, just watch the news. You don't often get news of good things that is happening, but God's word urges us on to be optimistic about life.
Psalm 52:8 really reflects with me personally, its says "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the loving kindness of God forever and ever."
So you might ask the question "Why should I be optimistic about things, about life and about the future?
You know why, because we have hope, hope and the promise of God in his word that should make us very optimistic about life, about the future. To stand with the full knowledge of God promises in our life as children of God, as stated in Psalm 27 and many other scriptures
Psalm 27:1-3 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident."
1. Think of the circumstances that often make you feel as if you’re sinking, whether emotionally, mentally, spiritually or physically. Think about what emotions you struggle with most on a daily basis in relationship to those circumstances (fear, anxiety, sadness, grief, anger, un-forgiveness, etc.). Ponder how different life could be if you could escape from those negative feelings and feel positive about them instead. Ask God to help you control your thoughts so you can reclaim authority over your feelings.
2. Make a list of what you are losing by maintaining an attitude of negativity. Peace? Joy? Contentment? Happy relationships? Health? Invite God to help you see the losses you may not have considered until now. Ask for open eyes to see the toll negative thinking is having on you in various ways. When we begin to recognize the toll pessimism is taking on us, it can become our true inspiration and motivation for lasting transformation of the mind.
3. What misconceptions about yourself, your life or your circumstances have you trained your mind to believe? Make a list of what you believe to be true about these things, then ask yourself if God’s opinion lines up with your own. If there is a discrepancy between what you believe to be true, and what God’s Word says is true, devote energy into trying to retrain your brain to believe God’s truths over your own. Ask God to prick your heart each time you think the untrue statement again and remind you of His truth. Over time, you will come to embrace His truths over the enemy’s lies.
4. Spend time in God’s Word and prayer every day. Quiet time with our Lord can transform a heart and mind like nothing else. Make them a priority in their life. Set aside a specific time each day, and ask God to help you be aware of how your heart and mind are transforming and when you are successful in overcoming negative thoughts.
5. Embracing a life of positive thinking does not mean it’s always going to be easy. Be prepared for the enemy of our souls to try to keep you from being positive. Guard your heart and mind by asking God to help you avoid the whirlpools of negativity that try to bring you down and be aware of when you get caught up in one of them. Each time you struggle with negativity, invite God in again and keep fighting to stay afloat.
All of the above points is summed up in one verse... Print it out, put it on your fridge or on your phone, for this is God's will for your and my life. - and it should put a smile on faces every second of the day.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
0 Comments