ARE YOU AN OPTIMIST OR A PESSIMIST?

ARE YOU AN OPTIMIST OR A PESSIMIST?

Two old men were in the hospital. The man by the window was describing
to the man in the other bed all the things that were going on outside.
He described the beautiful trees, the birds, the activity that was
taking place below. He talked about being able to see the park and a
beautiful lake. The man in the next bed was quite jealous of the man
with the bed next to the window.

During the night, the man in the bed near the window got very sick. He
was struggling to breathe. The man in the other bed could have called
for help, but he the guy struggle, and guess what, he died. After
removing the man's body, they decided to move the other man to the other
side of the room with the window. He was so excited that he would
finally have the great view all to himself.

They nurses moved the bed and got him all settled in and he leaned
forward to look out the window only to discover the view was a brick
wall!

Some of us go through life with optimism while others of us are
pessimists. Some of us see the glass half full while others see the
glass half empty. King David was an optimist: "Then David said to the
Philistines, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with
javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of
the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will
deliver you into my hand." 1 Samuel 17:45-46a

Speaker and teacher, Dr. Henry Blackaby says: David was certainly an
optimist! Regardless of his circumstances, David could always see God's
activity! A pessimist focuses on the PROBLEMS, concentrating on the
reasons why something CANNOT be done. The optimist sees the same
problems, but he sees them from the perspective of GOD'S PRESENCE.

David was just a young boy when he faced Goliath, and intimidating
veteran warrior who frightened even the bravest Israelite soldier. As he
prepared for battle, David saw that Goliath was a giant. He HEARD his
boastful taunts. He could not fail to notice his enemy's weapons: a
sword, a shield, and a javelin. David did not barge into the battle
unprepared for a fight. He armed himself with five smooth stones. David
was prepared for God to grant him victory with the first stone he hurled
at the giant or the fifth. David was ready to accept God's victory,
whether it came easily or with much effort.

Optimists do not ignore the difficulties; they are keenly aware of them.
But the knowledge of God's presence prevents them from becoming
discouraged or giving up. It is impossible to stand in the presence of
God and be a pessimist!

The account of David and Goliath vividly pictures the SOURCE of the
Christian's faith - not our own size, strength, or resources, but the
power of almighty God. If we focus on our OPPOSITION and PROBLEMS, they
will seem gigantic. But as we focus on GOD, we will see our situation in
the proper perspective and be assured that all things are possible with
God (Philippians 4:13).

So ... are you an optimist? A pessimist? Good words for today.

Great quote: ...being a disciple means living a disciplined life, and it
is not very likely that you will get other disciples unless you are one
first.
Evelyn Underhill