Is the glass half filled?

An optimist will see light where there may be none and a pessimist will try to blow it out.

Many times a pessimist will accuse an optimist of being a fool for searching out good things in people and situations. It may get frustrating at times for the optimist but it often yields a good result. It just take time and effort.
If we continually focus on the negatives, the obstacles and resistant personalities we will have a defeated attitude thus a defeated life. This is not what God intends for us.

There is no argument that in today's culture many are angry, frustrated and hopeless.
What we believe in our hearts and minds to be "true"will dictate how we react to things in our lives. What we know (renew our minds of) is what we are meditating on.

In the letter to the Philippian church by the Apostle Paul, he encourages them to "meditate on things that are; true, noble, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise".
Phil 4:8
Paul had a special affection for this group of believers and he wanted to give them powerful true and effective counsel. He wanted them to keep the focus, function with the right attitude and minimize the affects of frustrating obstacles in life. This maintains a healthy attitude, family and community.
If the glass is half empty, it is still half full. Being an optimist is not necessarily one who has lost touch with "reality" is it one who has taken the time to search it more carefully.

I would like to share with you a powerful verse that causes many to ponder when they first hear it. Romans 8:28, "God works all things for good for those who love Him". The emphasis is all things. Here lies the puzzling piece. All things includes...all things in life. How can that be? Well here is where the mind and heart of an optimist is. This is one who trusts God to work each things out while they wait. I have tested this verse in my own life while observing others who love God and it holds to be a true and faithful promise.
My encouragement is to those who find life so frustrating that their life attitude is progressively negative and potentially destructive to those around them.
I agree, our culture is in trouble. What was right is now considered wrong and what is wrong is now viewed as right. Honesty is no longer a virtue. Selfishness is rampant and devours relationships of all kinds. But I am here to remind you that God is faithful and just. Please meditate on those things that are good and remember Romans 8:28 and ask Him (over and over)to prove it to you. Be an optimist for a while and search & wait. I pray that a new view would be given to you, adding joy to your life, thus more optimism to your surroundings.

May God Bless you and Keep you.

Pastor Frank