How many people do you know who are always pessimistic about life? That is called, “stinking thinking.” There is no question that life is tough and we don’t always have answers for what happens in life, but we do have the promises of God.
The Apostle Paul provides a powerful word for people who tend to always look on the pessimistic side of life. His words are found in 2 Corinthians 5:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” What great counsel for those who tend to always look on the dark side of life. We need to focus on the promises-not the problems of life.
Michel De Saint-Pierre once wrote, “An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” Pessimism can dwarf or limit the effectiveness of a potentially radiant Christian. Did you hear about the young man who once found a two-dollar bill in the road? From that time on he never lifted his eyes from the ground where he was walking. In the course of 40 years, he accumulated 29,516 buttons, 54,172, pins.7 cents in pennies, a bent back and a miserly disposition. He lost the glories of the sunlight, the smiles of friends, the beauties of the flowers and trees, blue skies and all there is in life so worthwhile.
The question for today is: Are we focused on the problems or on the promises? With the Apostle Paul let us fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the Promise of all Promises.
