optimistic prime
The secret to happiness and success is to be optimistic. The funniest thing to me is that people will tell you you're being juvenile for believing the cup is half full. I once saw a picture of a dandelion that said "some see a weed, some see a wish".
I love that comparison because it really made me evaluate my own way of thinking. 2 Corinthians tells us: "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight" (5-7). Why be pessimistic and sad on our earthly home when He has gifted us with an eternal life of bliss? How great is our God when we don't constantly appreciate all that he has given for us.
Another huge reason that we have to keep hope is that there is always someone watching. I guarantee that someone is seeing everything you do; hearing every word you say, even if you're not speaking directly to them. And you, as a Christian, are representing Jesus himself. That's such a cool honor. You may be the only light, the only son or daughter of God that someone sees in their day.
Do you remember the song we used to sing as children... I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay? It's awesome to me how such a simple thing can be so relevant to my life as an 18 year old. When I got saved as a little girl, almost half of my lifetime ago, God planted a seed of joy in my heart. Ever since then as I have experienced life as a young Christian and seen the world around me, that seed has bloomed and transformed me into the optimistic person that I am today. That way of thinking has always been so important to me, and I now realize the reason behind it. It's because of got the love of Jesus down in my heart to stay!
I think one of the reasons I love working with children so much is that they are always so joyful. Even after working with them every day, it never ceases to amaze me how they can be in time out or fall down on the playground, and not even a minute later have a grin on their face and run up and hug me. They are so innocent, forgiving, and also happy... Maybe the reason I am the way I am is because I'll always be a kid at heart.
Don't get me wrong- I have my bad days, even weeks. It's impossible to be happy all the time; you're only human. Sometimes when I'm down in the dumps I get so frustrated with myself because I know I'm blessed and should be so glad of the life I have. I'm learning every day to not question what God is doing in my life. I try to never say, "But God....." when I'm talking to him. It's not always easy to wonder why He's doing what He's doing, and there to be no buts when it comes to our response for his plan. Here are some verses that remind me to not be discouraged:
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding right ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; He won't leave you."
Deuteronomy 31:8
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles."
Isaiah 40:30-31
"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out— plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
Jeremiah 29:10-11
Following and obeying God takes great courage, and the only way to gain that courage is through prayer and worship. Don't lose sight of what's important and you won't lose sight of what makes you happy.
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