Is optimism possible in our present world situation? What is optimism?
Firstly, it is not the denial of reality; it is not behaving like the proverbial ostrich by burying our heads in the sand.
Neither is it the denial of reality, nor blind faith, and it is not a foolish naïveté.
The Christian’s optimism is legitimised by our faith that is evidence, based in the goodness and love of God.
Optimism is having the conviction that something good ultimately will be the outcome of the situation.
The believer enjoys the assurance that God, who is all knowing and loves us, is at work for our ultimate good, no matter how dire the situation.
It is an unwavering expectation and an assurance that the God of love is working in every situation for our future good. Romans 8:28, and verses 35-39.
Staying positive in a world that is being saturated with negativity, is something we have to be intentional about.
How can we stay positive, when the news media seems so consistently saturated with bad news? Is this tending to produce paranoia and fear?
I find that all the bad news has power to hijack me into a state of negativity, fear, hopelessness and pessimism.
I must continually remind myself that “A negative outlook never leads to a positive outcome.” Craig Groeschel.
Thus I know that I must limit my time spent watching news to less than 15 minutes per day!
Think about what you think about, and why. What occupies your mind is the predictor of your future. The life that I have now is the result of the thoughts that I have had.
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Thus it is essential to avoid the trap of allowing the news media to program my thought life.
Instead I have found it essential to spend time thinking God’s thoughts by meditating in the Word of God as I prayerfully read the Scriptures such as Romans 8 and Psalm 23 and 91.
To stay positive and optimistic, it is essential to look for the good in the situation.
Be reminded that God is good and is still the final authority in our world.
He is able to work it all out for the good, no matter how hopeless the news media seems to describe the situation.
God is still good and He is the Author of the Good News!
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