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It is important for us to always have an optimistic outlook on life. Our
viewpoint should never diminish or become less than simply because of what
is going on all around us. We must be steadfast in faith knowing that our
life is secured in the Hands of Almighty God and nothing can come our way
without God knowing about it and making provision for it. Having Him as
the leader and sustainer of our lives should keep us confident that all is
well. It is only when we take our eyes off of the Lord and listen to the
lies of the enemy that we allow pessimism and negativity to enter into
us. When we listen to and entertain thoughts of dread and gloom then
eventually we will manifest what we gave in to. We must remember and keep
in mind that worry and fear cannot take up the same space as faith and
hope. Only one of these two can be dominant in our life. Either we hold
on to hope and have faith that all will be well, or we can choose to worry
about our future and allow fear to keep us stagnant.
We always have a choice on how we see life. We can see our glass as half
full and be thankful for all that it offers us or we can see our glass as
half empty and complain about why we don't have more. Being an optimist
is to our benefit because we will choose to minimize the negatives and
maximize the positives. When we have a thankful heart, we will also have
a contented heart. We won't murmur and complain about all that we are
missing, but rather we will be thankful for all that we possess. Be
encouraged to see your many blessings. Remember the many times you were
delivered in the past. Think on all that you have gained throughout your
life and you will soon find your attitude and inner being much more at
rest and in peace. It's easy to be an optimist when we see how good God
has been to us. We simply need to think on it more when times of
discouragement try to steer our life off-track.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to always focus on
your many blessings and allow them to remind you of the goodness of the Lord.
SPRINGTIME IN MY SOUL
I was standing in front of my oven looking out my kitchen window on a
cold, frozen, and barren Winter’s day. The latest snowstorm in a long line
of snowstorms had covered everything the day before and no thaw was in
sight. I huddled close to the oven while our dinner baked inside of it.
Its warmth, however, had little effect on me. It had been a long and rough
Winter and its coldness and bleakness seemed to be seeping into my spirit
on this dark afternoon.
A loud thumping noise let me know that my youngest son was bouncing down
the hallway towards me. He was over 18 now but his severe Autism had
frozen his mind at a 2 year olds level. Sometimes the frustrations of his
handicap would even cause him to cry, pinch his face, or hit himself. Most
of the time, though, his energy, laughter, and delight in living were a
pleasure to behold. He lived with the joy of a child even now in his adult
size body.
Seeing me standing in front of the stove, he walked up to me, leaned his
forehead close to mine, giggled, and smiled. His eyes sparkled with
happiness and as I looked deep into them I could see something else: God’s
love. We hugged each other for a moment and then he bounced down the
hallway again. He had in an instant removed all the darkness and barrenness
of my Wintertime blues. And in its place he had awakened a little
Springtime in my soul.
My sweet, special son had reminded me without words that when we have love
in our hearts, it is always Springtime in our souls. He had reminded me
once again that we live in God’s world and that we are all one family
here. He had showed me one more time that while we may not understand all
the difficulties and challenges we face in this life we can still use them
all to grow better, more loving, and closer to God. May life’s Winter days
then never weaken the Springtime in your own soul. And may you forever
share its warmth and beauty with the world.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall
fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields
shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there
shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy
in the God of my salvation.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Psalm 8:3-6 “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the
moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art
mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast
made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory
and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands;
Thou hast put all things under his feet.”
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and
though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the
waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the
swelling thereof. Selah.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: WHAT IS FAITH?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem118.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: WHAT A MIRACLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony54.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
