Intangible Blessings: Day Two

By thissmallgroup, November 23, 2019

Some people are the epitome of optimist. Some people have no problem hoping for the best, believing that things will always work out. Me, I’m a little more of a mix. When it comes to hoping for good things for others, I am a total optimist. I always have hope that things will work out for the best and always try to be a big source of encouragement for them. But when it comes to myself? I would say I’m more of a realist, sometimes bordering on pessimism. I don’t know why I tend to lose hope that things can work out for the best when it comes to my own situations.

David went through some pretty crazy situations. He faced down a giant. He was pursued by the king of Israel at the time who wanted him dead. Yet, in these situations, he remained steadfast in his faith in God. The Psalms do include songs of woe and worry, but then we’ll read a verse like this: “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.”-Psalm 71:14.

We could learn from David’s example. In any situation, instead of focusing on all the terrible ways that things can go, we should focus on putting our hope in God, knowing that He will work all things out. It’s definitely not easy (believe me, as a personal realist/pessimist, I know!), but David provides a way to do that: praising God. In those hard moments, turn those thoughts of horrible outcomes to thoughts of praise. Pop on some good uplifting worship music or start journaling out a prayer of thankfulness. While it may not change the situation, it can change an attitude and help us refocus on putting our hope in the One who is always there. So, though I do struggle with thoughts of hopefulness, I am thankful for the moments where I can turn my thoughts from ones of woe to ones of hope and I’m thankful for the One in whom I can put my hope.

-Allie