Fill Your New Year With Optimism Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 3

Fill Your New Year With Optimism

Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism—Part 3

Today’s post concludes my blog series about the seven strategies for attaining optimism. I’m talking about truth-filled hope and an outlook ordained by God that every follower of Jesus can and should attain. 

My previous two posts looked at the first five of the Seven Strategies to Attain Optimism: 1- Let go of the past. 2- Avoid getting hung up on a negative thing or situation. 3- Remember that, for everyone, life has ups and downs. 4- Watch your mouth. 5- Practice gratitude.

Today we’ll consider the last two:

6-  Surround yourself with truth –people, places, things.

Speaking of “fake news”—it doesn’t just exist in politics. We’re surrounded by half-truths, misleading information, exaggerated stories, and our own imaginations. These untruths can flood our minds with worry and wild ideas capable of pulling us down and filling us with stress.

“My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened,” declared Michel de Montaigne, about 500 years ago. Many of us could say the same ting today.

Photo by Aaron Burden from Unsplash

Experts report that 85%, and some 99%, of things people worry about never really happen. Pause for a moment and consider your own thought life. What thoughts occupy your mind that are not based on facts? 

Where does your imagination wander that does not lift your spirits?

I recommend we draw our thoughts into the truth of God’s Word. There we find the reality our Creator wants us to base our lives upon.

Paul tells us why: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 JKJV).

We need to allow His truth to be a lamp to the feet of our thoughts and a light for the paths we tread in our minds.

Do you believe God and His Word? The psalmist did when he wrote, “The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgements endures forever” (Psalm 119:160 NKJV).

Before His crucifixion, Jesus knew his followers had to have God’s truth and prayed to the Father: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17 NKJV). Sanctify meant to set apart. This is huge! God’s truth sets us apart from the world. It’s knowing and living by God’s truth that sets us apart from the world. We’re of another kingdom—God’s Eternal Kingdom.

So, we should look for truth in everything that crosses our paths—people, places, and things.

The better we know God and His Word, the closer will be our relationship with Him. The closer our relationship with Him, the clearer we’ll hear His voice. The clearer we hear His voice, the keener will be our sense of discernment. The keener our sense of discernment, the better will be our ability to know truth when we encounter it—in people, places, and things.

As we surround ourselves with what is right and true, the optimism that fills us will overflow to others. 

7- Remember that God will have His way in the end.

I believe we all get pretty frustrated and angry when we witness injustices, acts of violence, and tragedy. We often feel helpless and forlorn as streaming news broadcasts the horrors of abused children, terrorist acts, natural disasters, and the like.

The tsunami of bad news can bring us into a free fall of pessimism and anxiety. There are many scientific studies focusing on the affects of negative hews and experiences on a person’s well-being. But there is no way to escape bad things.

We need to continually remind ourselves that God knows, God cares, and God loves us with unfailing, unconditional love. As Christ-followers, we have an internal hope that’s like a pilot light.

A pilot light is “a small gas flame … which serves as an ignition source for a more powerful gas burner” (Wikipedia). This pilot light hope never goes out and is always there to ignite the burner that causes hope to rise up and come against a negative event.

When David was greatly distressed because all seemed lost and his men turned against him, he “encouraged himself in the Lord” because he knew his God and within him burned that flicker of hope. That pilot light of internal hope ignited the burner that caused faith and hope to rise up in his spirit (1 Samuel 30:6).

Like David, when life beats up on us and when the world appears to be going in the wrong direction we need to listen to the Holy Spirit and allow our internal hope to ignite the full flame of knowing God will have His way ultimately.

Yes, we may go through some discomfort and heartache along the way. I repeat Jesus words: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). We who are in Christ—those born-again—will be partakers of the awesome Eternal Kingdom He has waiting for us. All hardships and evil will pass away and a glorious future with our Lord and Savior Jesus awaits us.

Just now I read, in its entirety, Revelation 19-22 and was reminded that God will have His way in the end.

Revelation 19 begins, “After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude on heaven, saying ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgements, because…’” (Verses 1-2a).

“Then I saw and angel coming down from heaven and a new earth … And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new …’” (Revelation 21:1a and 4-5).

Rejoice with me in the final passage of God’s Word, “He (Jesus) who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” Revelation 22:20-21).

Let’s be encouraged by the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and allow optimism to rise up so the world will see Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

 

Every time I read the back of His book I’m blown away by the Ancient of Days—His goodness and greatness—His amazing grace and unfailing love—His breathtaking holiness and perfect justice. In reading these Passages, we’re reminded of God’s cosmic beyond-our-imagination plan. Our God is truly an awesome God. 

I would like to challenge each of us to follow the seven strategies for attaining optimism.  We must remember the bottom line is that ultimately God will have His way and He takes care of His family in the process.

 

Let’s pray: Holy Father, thank You for the hope that resides in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Please help me to be mindful of the reasons I can be optimistic. And help me encourage others as well. I know that with Your Spirit in me, I can beam with optimism even in tough times and be a light in darkness because of Your unfailing love. Thank You, Father. In Jesus name—Amen. 

 

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2018 Connie Wohlford

“He Went Out Not Knowing”             

These 5 words, “He went out not knowing...,” are found in the Bible. Do you know who said them and of whom they were said?

Speaking of Abraham, the writer of the Book of Hebrews said, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; (Heb. 11:8-9 KJV).”

Tomorrow we begin a new year. Like Abraham, we go out not knowing what lies ahead. We don’t know what awaits around the bend. It might hold abundant joys and really cool adventures−or perhaps even great sorrows and trials.  

When God called Abraham, (named Abram at the time) he obeyed, without hesitation. When he went out not knowing, he was taking a huge step of faith. God had called him to leave his home and kin. He didn’t have a reference point, or much of a family history with God. He was living in Haran, a pagan place. He couldn’t sing a song like Faith of Our Fathers to build his faith or boost his confidence. He took his wife, servants, Lot, his newhew, and their livestock and went out totally not knowing anything except that God had told him to do so.

So here we are, entering into a new year and we go out, not knowing what will befall us in 2016. We anticipate, hoping and expecting good things. Some among us are expecting a baby, planning a wedding, going to graduate, building a new house, and on and on.

Those of us who are in Christ, do NOT need to worry as we step into the new year. God told us very clearly in Luke 12:22 not to worry about anything. In other words, we are not to worry about things that concern us as we go out, not knowing what lies ahead. We don’t need to worry because God knows!

There are two 2-word sentences that give me great comfort as I face the unknown. The first is “I AM,” which God said about Himself to Moses through the burning bush. He was letting Moses know that Jehovah God was anything and everything Moses and the children of Israel would need for any trial or situation they’d faced.

My other 2-word sentence is, “God knows.”  When I encounter a trial, especially when I see no good ending, I remind myself, “God knows.” I know it is truth; He is good; He loves me with unfailing love; and He knows what’s best for me in any situation.

Granted, when January 1^st rolls around each year, we don’t know what lies ahead of us, or for any of our loved ones. Fear of the unknown can have a profound effect on an individual.

What does fear do to us? Fear keeps us focused on the past & constantly worried about the future. It creates desperation and indecision that paralyzes our logic, thinking, and actions. Fear causes us to be hesitant in exploring new concepts and embracing new possibilities. We can't live freely when we live in fear of the unknown.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on (Luke 12:22).”

Let’s consider things that we DO know, as we embark on a New Year−for that matter, as we embark on any new day:

1.  Jesus said, “Don’t worry about anything.”  Let’s take Him at His word. “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12).”

2.  Always remember, God loves us with unfailing love.

3.  God knows our end before our beginning. He said so! −Isaiah 46:10

4.  God created each of us, and knows each of us better than we know ourselves. He knows what’s best for us. Therefore, we can rest assured that He has our best interest in mind in all matters.

5.  Yes, we might miss God and mess up along the way but He knows our heart and can always get us straightened out when we cooperate with Him.

6.  God gives us principles and precepts to guide us and we can trust His Word. Of course we must read and study His Word in order to know these things.

7.  We have His presence at all times. When we’re in His family, His Holy Spirit dwells in us. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).”

As we go out in complete surrender to our Creator, we shouldn’t be surprised at marvelous things He will do in us and through us.

“Be an Abraham. Leave everything, and if you do this in faith, verily ye shall not lack your reward. He is able, and he has promised to give you in this life ten times more than you lose for him, and in the world to come life everlasting.”

“Let us … put the most implicit trust in our wonder-working God; when we recollect what he has already done for us.”

“I can only hold up my hands and exclaim, ‘What hath God wrought!’ And shall we doubt for the future? No; mariner, hoist the sail; loose the rudder bands; drag up the anchor; once again to sea we go, with the flag of faith at the masthead, with Jehovah at the helm, to a sure port the vessel shall be guided, though the storm may howl, and hell beneath shall be stirred; for God is with us, and the God of Abraham is our refuge. God give to every one of you the firmest trust in his providence, that you may go forth not knowing whither you go.”
“As for you that believe not in God, may you be led to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as in your Redeemer, and afterwards to trust your God, and leave all your concerns in his hands.” -Charles Spurgeon-  http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0261.htm 

©Connie Wohlford 2015

“Appointed Times” of God

“Appointed Times” of God 

Do you know that today is the 5^th Day of the 10 Days of Awe?

Are you aware that 5 days ago, we could greet one another saying, “Happy New Year”?

If you’re a Gentile (not Jewish), like me, you likely didn’t know these things.

And if you’re a Christian, like myself, you might find today’s post interesting and informative. The reason being, the Jewish holidays, set up by God Himself, point to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in Jesus, the Messiah. 

So let’s get a snapshot look at the Fall Feasts for 2015: 

This past Sunday rang in the Jewish New Year <> sundown, September 13 – September 15. This holiday is Rosh Hashanah, also called the Feast of Trumpets.

“The blowing of the shofar (ramʼs horn) or trumpet heralds the Jewish New Year or Head of the Year. It recalls the time of the victory at Jericho. Trumpets are blown to herald the entrance of a King.

The Bible notes a time when all Israel is gathered back to the land by the blowing of a great ram’s horn (Is 27:13) and also of a time when all believers will be gathered to Jesus the Messiah (1 Thess. 4:16-18). Therefore the blowing of the shofar has prophetic significance.” (1)

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:16-18

“Traditions: Eating of apples dipped in honey to signify the traditional greeting Jewish people say at this time of year ~ Shanah Tovah ~ which means ‘have a good (or sweet) year’.” (1)

A couple years ago and again this past Sunday, I had a small Rosh Hashanah celebration with one of our grandsons and a young cousin.

We celebrated with apples and honey and recited the Jewish blessings.

Here are a couple of the Rosh Hashanah blessings:

May it be Your will, Adonai our God, and the God of our ancestors, to favor us with a good and a sweet year.
 

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree. (2)

The boys loved the experience and asked that we be sure to do it again next year. 

Coming up in just a few days is Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement, <> sundown, September 22 – 23. 

“Beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are the 10 Days of Awe or the Days of Repentance. According to Jewish tradition, this is when God decides each person’s fate for the next year. Prophetically it points to the time when Israel with be gathered to her Messiah Jesus.

Let us pray for the eyes of the Jewish people to be opened so they will receive cleansing from their sin and impurity through the atoning work of Jesus. May they look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as one mourns for a firstborn son (Zechariah 12:10).” (1)

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10

The idea of the 10 Days of Awe really got me thinking. I also did a little more reading on the subject. These 10 days are a time to be set aside for introspection−a time of deep soul searching and repentance.

To spend a few days dedicated to prayer and asking God to reveal flaws and sins within would be a valuable experience for any of us. Then a period of sincere repentance before the Lord can give a person a new lease on life.

These 10 Days of Awe could really set a person up for a higher level of ministry, productivity, and abundance of life.

The third of the fall feasts is Sukkot, also called the Feast of Tabernacles <> sundown September 27-October 4.

“The building of Sukkahs (booths) during this Feast is a reminder of how God cared for His people while they sojourned in the wilderness. It is also known as the Feast of Ingathering and is a very joyous feast when the Jewish people celebrate God’s provision and how He tabernacled with them.”

“Prophetically it points to God’s relationship with man through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. The dwelling place (tabernacle) of God is with man (Rev. 21:3). It also points to the time when the nations will be ingathered to honor the King of Kings and Lord of Lords by celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem every year (Zechariah 14: 16-18).” (1)   

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my post today. It's likely many of you know more about Jewish feasts and holidays than I, and perhaps some of my readers are Jewish. Whether Jew or Gentile, I’d be happy for you to post comments telling of your own experiences celebrating the Fall Feasts. 

Shanah Tovah! Have a sweet and prosperous New Year! Shalom!

 

(1)  http://files.ctctcdn.com/e7378a9e001/366ca0f0-5e7a-4066-83af-7cfb43131a39.pdf, a Women of the Word resource.

(2)   http://jewishappleseed.org/apple/rosh.htm

©Connie Wohlford 2015