Fill Your New Year With Optimism - Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 1

Fill Your New Year With Optimism 

Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 1

Are you ready for positive news? Do you yearn for relief from negativity?

Let’s begin this new year beaming with optimism. I’m not just thinking about feel-good ideals and clichés—but holding on to truth-filled hope and an outlook ordained by God. 

Consider the source of genuine optimism and strategies for taking hold of it.

God desires for each of us to have a good life experience, both now and into eternity. Jesus came for that purpose. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

Peter affirmed this when he wrote, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:2-4 NKJV).

As followers of Jesus, we have every reason to be optimistic and He has given us the means by which to be so. 

With our sights on abundant life and with Peter’s encouragement in mind, consider these Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism:

1- Get over the past.

 

Don’t take negative aspects of your past into your future. What would be the benefit of dragging it along? Nothing! What would be the benefit of getting over those things? Everything!

Paul nailed it when he said: “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV).

Besides putting past negatives behind us we also need to press on. We must avoid resting on past glories and we can learn from and build on former successes. We who are in Christ have His Spirit living in us and are to reflect His image. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

From one level of glory to another we shall travel through life, serving our Lord, each doing our part in the building of His Kingdom. Let’s build on past victories as we move forward to greater accomplishments in Jesus name. And let’s not allow shadows and skeletons from the past diminish the optimistic outlook of God’s plan for each of us.

2- Avoid getting hung up on a negative thing.

 

Is there something you or I perceive as a negative personal trait or characteristic? It might be in regard to appearance or personality. Perhaps it’s our age or family background. Do we think God is not aware of these matters? 

He knew well before you and I that this would be a part of our lives at this moment in time. Is this something we could and should change? If so, we can ask God to help and show us the way to overcome.

If it’s something we cannot change we can ask Him to take it and use it for His glory. Our Creator is an expert at bringing good from things we perceive as bad.

We must remember “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose … What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28, 31).

Any personal flaw is not too much for our Creator to deal with. Let’s let God have His way and get ready to be amazed, in no way allowing such a thing to impede our optimism. 

3- Remember that, for everyone, life has ups and downs.  

The exciting adventures and lovely photos we see on Facebook and Instagram do not tell a person’s whole story.

We didn’t witness the bitter argument the dreamy couple had just before stepping barefoot onto the sandy beach for their photo-shoot. Nor did we see their children arguing and pulling hair on the way to that serine tropical setting.

Be assured that God knows all, sees all, and cares about all things that concern us. Our trials do not escape His watchful eye. Very often our greatest setbacks take place right before our greatest victories.

Let’s be encouraged by Jesus’ words: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

His words should give lift us into the realm of optimism because our overcoming Lord gives us the power to overcome as well.

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So, let’s take heart as we meditate on the above Scripture Passages and the first three of the Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism. Be assured that God wants us to live joy-filled lives, unhindered by pessimistic thoughts and anxieties.

Please check back in a few days to learn more of the strategies. May God richly bless you in your own pathway to attaining Christ-ordained optimism.

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford

Rejection is NO Match For God

Rejection is NO Match For God                   

Our son, Shannon, was twelve years old when he decided he wanted to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after high school graduation. We told him that if that were to happen, he’d need to maintain outstanding grades all through school.   

Bill the Goat - USNA Mascot

Time sped by and as graduation approached, Shannon had exceeded the criteria for acceptance in most any college or university—even earning the title of valedictorian of his graduating class. Also he was a well-rounded candidate with accolades in sports, choir, and leadership—among which student body president.

It appeared he was well on his way to fulfilling his dream of receiving an appointment to the USNA. 

Our son had worked hard, spending much time during his junior year of high school, filling out numerous forms, writing essays, and sending his credentials to our congressman, senator and the vice president of the United States.

Time moved on and the long anticipated letter from The Academy arrived in the mail. I carried the letter up to Shannon’s room and handed it over as he sat on his bed. 

I held my breath as he opened it, anticipating what we hoped would be would be sensational news. I watched while he read silently. He lowered the letter, stared straight ahead and said, “I’ve been rejected.”

I was stunned. Of course we all knew this was a possibility. But knowing he’d worked so hard and that he’d met all the qualifications with flying colors, this was a hard pill to swallow. And we’d prayed. We’d prayed for God’s will. So—maybe, for our son, being a midshipman was not God’s will. 

I asked Shannon to let me see the letter. I read every word. He’d been rejected because of three medical issues—vision correction, a functional heart murmur, and blood in his urine. (The latter two had been diagnosed during medical exams specifically for his USNA application. In all his years of medical exams, sports injuries, etc. these issues had never been detected.) 

I flipped the letter over and read small print at the bottom. Here I discovered an obscure statement that brought a ray of light through the dark cloud which hovered over my son’s head and heart.

I looked at Shannon and said, “It says here that if you want, you may request a medical waiver for any condition. If a waiver is granted, admission is possible. Do you want to do this?”

“Yes, ma’am.” 

Slowly nodding, I said, “Okay,” and prayed silently.

I looked into my son’s eyes and boldly declared, “Shannon, we’ll request three medical wavers, and if God wants you to go to the Naval Academy, all the devils in Hell will not stop you!”

He agreed and got onto the task of requesting three wavers.

Again, we waited—confidently knowing that if God wanted Shannon to be a midshipman, all the devils in hell would not get in the way. We prepared ourselves for the answer to be yea or nay. 

The year and a half long arduous application process finally bore a final answer when Shannon received a congratulations letter, welcoming him into the United States Naval Academy Class of 92. 

I-Day for Plebes (Internet photo)

His dream came true and in July 1988, he became a lowly plebe, setting sail to begin a twenty-four year exciting and honorable military career—even including being an aviator in fighter jets—fulfilling his greatest military aspiration.

Here again, God slew a giant for His child and all the devils in Hell couldn’t stop Him.

Shannon's retirement "Fini Flight"*

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Are you holding a letter of rejection? Or are you up against a wall of rejection? 

Go about the business of perusing your dream if you believe God put it in your heart. Trust God, knowing that if it’s His will and you’re doing your part, all the devils in Hell won’t stop you.  

Your comments are welcome. 

Be encouraged by this song: “God Will Make A Way”

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

©Connie Wohlford 2016

*Some of you observant folks may notice that, in the photo, Shannon is wearing an Air Force uniform--not a Navy uniform. That's because ten years into his career he transitioned from Navy to Air Force, switching from the Tomcat F-14 to the Strike Eagle F-15.  

Darkness Will Not—CANNOT Comprehend His Light

Darkness Will Not—CANNOT                     

                 Comprehend His Light

Do you ever feel like there’s lots of darkness in our world?

It often seems like we’re surrounded by darkness and sometimes that it’s closing in. Doesn’t it?

Notice, I said “seems like.” Seems like is not the reality for those of us who are in Christ. Yes, there’s a lot of darkness out there. But we don’t have to let it penetrate. Let’s never forget the encouraging words of the apostle, John.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing that was made was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5 NKJV).

We who are in Christ have Christ in us. Therefore, His light is in us and cannot be overpowered by darkness. (Read those two sentences again.)

Look at the word used here in the New King James Version in verse 5—comprehend. “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” Other translations use such words as overcome and understand. 

According to Strong’s (#2638), comprehend, katalambano (kat-al-am-ban-oh), has three interpretations:

1- To seize, lay hold of, overcome. As such, verse 5 could read, “The darkness could not gain control of it.”

2- To perceive, attain, lay hold of with the mind; to apprehend with mental or moral effort. As such, verse 5 could read, “The darkness is unreceptive and does not understand it.” [WOW! We could camp out there for a while because lost people cannot understand why we think the way we think and do the things we do.]

3- To quench, extinguish, snuff out the light by stifling it. With this, verse 5 could read, “The darkness will never be able to eliminate it.”*

SO—

“Light and darkness essentially are antagonistic. The Christian’s joy is in knowing that light is not only greater than darkness but will also outlast the darkness.”*

Therefore—

As we are very aware of the many facets of darkness, both near and far, we must guard against allowing it to penetrate us. And we have the means by which to do so.

We have the full armor of God—it’s our responsibility to wear it and wield it.

We have the Holy Spirit—each of us has the responsibility of giving Him full access to our spirit and soul.

I’d like to close with these words from Isaiah:

Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness.

 

Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, ...

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; They rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  –Isaiah 8:22; 9:1a, 2-7

In the midst of widespread darkness, let us not forget that we once walked in darkness but we have seen a great Light—for unto us a Child is born. He is the Light which no darkness can comprehend in any sense of the word. Hallelujah! –Amen.

Your comments are welcome.

*Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Word Wealth, p 1573

©Connie Wohlford 2016