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OPTIMISM AND FAITH [DEVOTION] - 17 September 2010

Posted by: feedtheflockad <feedtheflockad@...>

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FINDING ANSWERS TO IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEMS

 




How God Uses the Faith and Optimism of Others to Help Us




Optimism and Faith

 

It may not seem profound to say that our attitude affects our approach to challenges. In a general way we all recognize this to be true. Yet most of the times we fail to appreciate the extent to which this is true. Our pessimism can literally shut down our creative energy for solving a problem. Even more typically, it channels that energy in the wrong direction. When a problem seems difficult, we can be incredibly clever at convincing ourselves it has no solution. Once we reach that conclusion, we interpret all the evidence we see as proof we’re correct--that the problem is indeed beyond hope. Having established that, we can overlook obvious solutions which may be staring us in the face.

When we are able to make that extraordinary shift to thinking optimistically, however, it’s remarkable how quickly we sometimes find a way to remedy our predicament. In some cases, we’re astonished at how obvious the solution actually is.

Yet reaching this point of optimism can be no small challenge. When faced with a difficult problem, we more typically fall into a pessimistic manner of thinking about it, often without realizing this is happening.

We see fascinating examples of both types of influence occurring throughout Scripture. It’s interesting, for instance, how frequently in Scripture individuals manage to convince one another that a situation is hopeless even though God sees it in a very different light. The spies whom Moses sent to Canaan are a classic example of how this negative “groupthink” occurs (Num 13). Even though God had promised that Israel would conquer Canaan (Num 13:1), ten of the twelve spies sent to investigate the land concluded that the obstacles to success were simply too great. We sense that these men, as brilliant as they were, used their intelligence to convince each other that the mission would be too difficult for them. In effect they talked themselves out of faith.

The lesson is clear: we desperately need the influence of optimistic people, and those with strong, contagious faith, in our lives. We need to accept how vastly influential the power of suggestion is in our lives. Each of us will benefit greatly from having at least one friend who is a supreme optimist, who believes the best for us and has a special knack for encouraging us when our world looks bleak. It helps especially if this person has strong faith in Christ, which rubs off on us as well. If we don’t have such a friendship, we should pray earnestly that Christ will provide it, and we should take what steps we can to find it. If we have the good fortune to gain such a friend, we should give high priority to spending time with this person and benefiting from his or her positive outlook.

In addition, we should take advantage of the affirmation that comes through more indirect means, such as books, articles, teachers, preachers and media personalities.

Last, but far from least, we need to structure our daily devotional time in a way that allows Christ to breathe his optimism and encouragement into our life. Yes, we need to study the whole of Scripture and focus on both the love and justice of God. Yet we should give emphasis to the triumphant themes of Scripture: God’s grace, which is greater than our sin; his adequacy, which is more powerful than our inadequacy; his guidance, which overrules our confusion and waywardness. It helps especially to spend time in silent reflection, dwelling on God’s goodness and recounting his blessings in our life. It is worth letting more busy aspects of our quiet time go in order for this to happen.

Each of us needs a heavy and frequent dose of optimism. Keeping our hearts cheerful and hopeful is not just good stress management but foundational to faith in Christ. I’m certain it’s a vital part of the good soil which Christ speaks of in the parable of the sower, which gives harvest to the seed of faith (Mt 13:3-9). We must simply keep in mind the role others play in keeping the soil fertile. Here the truth of the ancient adage always applies: “Choose your friends wisely.”

 

Extracted from Nehemia Notes by M. Blaine Smith 

 




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When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  (Matthew 9 : 36)

 

… Jesus said “Feed my sheep”. (John 21:17)                    

 

 

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